Respite For Ukelle People as Otu Promises Completion Of 39km C'River-Benue Road

By Ogbu KOSY

he Ukelle people in Yala local government area have received some respite as the State Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu assured the community of his commitment to completing the neglected road project in the area.

The governor who gave the assurance during an on-the-spot assessment of the 39km road deserted for almost two decades now, noted that its completion will boost economic activities and ease vehicular movement.

In a meeting with the Clan Head of Wanokom, Denis Ugede and his council of chiefs in his palace, Senator Otu assured of the commencement of the road construction in the dry season.

“Today I decided to drive through all the wards in Ukelle particularly this Northern flank that borders Benue State to appraise the state of the road here with the view to bringing back the economic life of this area.

“This particular road has been a problem for my people and the project is very dear to my heart. So, I decided to come personally for an on-the-spot assessment of its current state to enable us to commence construction work as soon as the dry season sets in.

“I aim to create an access road here to bring the ever-bubbling socio-economic activities in these border communities to better the lot of our people.

“Already, there is some work going on here and we will find out the level they have gone for possible collaboration with relevant Federal Government agencies handling the work to ensure speedy completion of this all-important road project.

“I have been informed that successive administrations have carried out the same inspections and never fulfilled the promises made, but be rest assured that this will be the final inspection by state government officials and we are going to complete the construction of this road project,” Otu promised.

He commended the royal fathers for the support accorded his predecessor as well as the solidarity his administration is enjoying.

“Let me give you my assurance that we will do all within our ability to raise the standard of living of the people of Ukelle,” the governor assured.

The Clan Head of Wanokom, Denis Ugede, expressed excitement and praised the governor, saying, “the Ukelle Nation will now sleep well having gotten such a heartwarming assurance from the government to complete the road after several years of being exposed to untold hardship due to lack of access road to evacuate their farm produce,”

The enchanted monarch, who lamented the level of food wastage farmers have recorded over the years due to inaccessible roads, said, “We are happy that today, God is going to use you to liberate the Ukelle Nation from this persistent hardship and I am happy that this will take place during our lifetime,”

He reminded the governor of the need for upward review of monthly stipends of traditional rulers as promised during his campaign visit, insisting that the review will cushion the difficult economic realities and boost their morale in carrying out their very important roles in the communities.

Also speaking, a former member of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata, on behalf of other stakeholders, disclosed that the people were shocked to see the governor carry out an on-the-spot assessment of roads in the area after over two decades.

“We are extremely delighted to have His Excellency undergo an inspection of the abandoned road with the view to fixing it and to us, he has already started his 2027 campaign in Ukelle and we will be glad to support him.

“This road has become a big setback to us because our people are very industrious but limited by access roads to evacuate their produce.

“I can attest that now that you have come, seen the road, and resolved to see to its completion, economic activities on this road will be humongous and will transform the lives of our citizenry,” Lukpata remarked.