Akwa Ibom Government has terminated the contract for the construction of the 29-km Nsit Atai-Okobo-Oron Road abandoned by successive governments several years ago.
Straightnews gathered that former Governor Udom Emmanuel had revoked the contract for the construction of the road awarded to Renaissance Construction Company following its failure to commence work 10 months after the contract award.
Emmanuel had re-awarded same to another construction firm in 2021 “with the resolve of the government to complete the road before the end of the administration in 2023.″
The decision to construct the road was taken following the closure of the traditional route to Oron through the Ituk Mbang, Ekpene Ukim and Ndon Ebom Road which became inevitable as a result of the construction of an airport on the outlay of farm land belonging to Nsit Atai, Uruan and Okobo Local Government Areas, as was conceptualized during the administration of former Governor Victor Attah.
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The initial contract for the road project was awarded by the Godswill Akpabio administration in 2006.
The contract termination followed complaints and protests by the people of the three local government areas and a socio–cultural organisation, the Oron Union.
Governor Umo Eno announced the termination during the funeral service and thanksgiving service for Mrs Deborah Ekaette Imaikop Enoidem, mother-in-law of the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem held at Ikot Ekpene Udo Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state.
Udo used the occasion to roll out projects undertaken by his administration in the Oron-Okobo-Mbo-Urue Offong Federal Constituency in the last 10 months of his assumption of office.
The roads include the 2.1km Ukpong Street, 2.1km Essang Street, Orukim-Uyenge Universal Energy Road, Okopedi Road, by East West Road, Secretariat Oruko Eweme Road, and re-modernisation of Oron Bridge.
He assured that his administration was bent on executing more projects in the Oro nation, and in the entire state.
Governor Eno stated that each of the 31 local government areas in the state has at least two projects currently ongoing and assured that the government “is judiciously spending government resources by channeling the funds into projects for the benefit of Akwa Ibom citizens.”
He warned the people to desist from obstructing projects with illegal structures, in expectation of being paid compensation.
“There is no LGA in the State which at least two projects are not ongoing. By the grace of God, we will continue to do more. We are spending money on projects and people are working and making a living from those projects.
“We will continue to use the state money for this state. We will create jobs, and government will support hardworking people who are ready to work. Our administration will continue to touch rural people. During our campaign, I promised to serve you, and I will continue to serve you,” he stressed.
The governor reiterated that despite these hard times with excruciating cash crunch, his administration has not taken any loan to execute any of the ongoing projects in the state.
“All the projects we have been doing, we are proud to say, we have not taken one loan from any bank in the last 10 months. I believe that we can use the resources we have in this state to work for our people.
“I thank the Oro People, our in-laws. I’m working for you, as I do with the entire state, and I will continue to work for you. I will serve you in Oro Nation by building on the foundation of my predecessor. We will do much more,” he added.
