Otu Orders Urgent Repairs on Ikom–Obudu Highway, Expands Road Network Across State

By Ebi COLLINS 

Governor Bassey Edet Otu has ordered urgent repair works on the troubled Ikom–Obudu highway, as part of a broader plan to expand and rehabilitate road infrastructure across Cross River State.

The directive formed part of resolutions reached at the first Executive Council (EXCO) meeting of 2026, held at the State Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Calabar.

At the heart of the decision is the emergency intervention on a 10-kilometre stretch of the Ikom–Obudu road, a vital economic corridor linking several northern communities and facilitating the movement of goods and services.

Council also approved a 5-kilometre intervention on the Oban–Ekang road, alongside extensive road network projects in Akpabuyo, including the 5km Ikot Ekpo Eyo–Esuk Mbat road and the 23.5km Ikot Edemesa Abakot–Ikot Ekpo–Esuk Eyo–Abasi Obo stretch.

In Abi and Biase, multiple road projects were approved, covering Ikot Ana Road, the 10km Adim–Ijom road, Etono Beach and Uwana–Abawan road, while similar network developments are planned for Bekwarra, Obanliku, Odukpani, Etung, Obudu and Bakassi local government areas.

The council further approved the rehabilitation of roads within Calabar metropolis, the construction of Ikom network of roads Phase II, and emergency channelisation works at Parliamentary Extension, Jonathan Bypass and Ikot Ansa to tackle drainage and flooding challenges.

In the aviation sector, EXCO also approved the construction of a Nigerian Air Force hanger and apron at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.

The projects are expected to ease transportation bottlenecks, improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth across the state.