Works Commissioner Seeks FG Collaboration To Link Calabar- Adiabo- Ikoneto Road
By Our Reporter
Consistent with the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration's commitment towards infrastructural development of the State, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Pius Ankpo, has sought the collaboration of the Federal Government to create a bypass to Link Calabar-Adiabo-Ikoneto road so as to address the perennial gridlock often experienced in Odukpani-Itu road.
The Commissioner made the call during a recent courtesy visit on the Federal Commissioner for Works, Cross River State at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Calabar.
Hon Ankpo stated that the road is the shortest cut to Akwa Ibom and, if linked, the gridlock often witness around Odukpani-Itu road will become a thing of the past.
He said his office is proposing a meeting with the Honourable Minister of Works so as to strengthen ties with the aim of ensuring that the state is repositioned in terms of infrastructure.
The Works Commissioner posited that policies fail for lack of political will, recalling that the bridge that link Adiabo- Ikoneto was awarded in 1991 during the military era and had since been abandoned.
"We are aware that the Tinapa- Adiabo-Ikoneto falls within the federal government roads. We are appealing to the Federal Government of Nigeria to come to our aid by ensuring that this project is revisited and captured in the 2024 Appropriation Bill."
He said the road, if constructed, will ease the burden on the state government while also calling on the federal government to provide palliative measure at the Odukpani-Akpet axis of the Calabar-Ikom highway to prevent accidents.
He said it is the yearning of the present administration to bring democratic dividends to the people, adding that this can be made possible through removal of administrative bottlenecks.
Responding, the Federal Commissioner for Works, Cross River State, Engr. Jimoh Mashood thanked Hon Ankpo and his team for the visit, and emphasised the need for the two tier of government to collaborate for effective and efficient service delivery.
He promised to convey the message of the State Ministry of Works to the appropriate quarters to ensure that concerns raised are given due attention.
