After 10 years, the controversial 25 kilometres Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway in Akwa Ibom State has been completed and inaugurated.
The dual carriageway highway that traverses six local government areas (Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Ikono, Abak, Essien Udim and Ikot Ekpene) was awarded by Chief Godswill Akpabio administration in 2011 to Julius Berger Construction Plc.
From Straightnews survey, Akpabio administration commenced construction work in earnest on the highway and did more than 50 per cent work.
Straightnews can authoritatively reveal that Akpabio flanked by his wife, Unoma, Udom Emmanuel, then secretary to the State Government and other members of the state executive council inaugurated Phase 1 of the road project on May 19, 2015.
The immediate past state Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen in an interview with reporters in Uyo, claimed that road was awarded at initial cost of N28,64,575, 803.22, but on September 12, 2013, but it was reviewed upwards by N23,516,228,339.00 billion.
“Again, there is what they call additional works; the contract was reviewed again on the 25th of September, 2014 with the sum of N19,448,373,217.67 bringing the total value to N71,359,177,114.59,” he said.
Though the highway was inaugurated by Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan on Tuesday, October 5, the actual cost for its completion was not mentioned by Governor Udom Emmanuel administration.
However, during the inauguration of the highway in Ikot Ekpene, the Senate President said he was marveled at the development strides recorded in the state under the leadership of Governor Emmanuel even in the midst of prevailing economic challenges, observed that such feat was made possible because of the love he has for his people.
He praised the Governor for judiciously utilizing state resources in the development of the State, assuring of the readiness of the federal government to partner the Governor in the infrastructural development of the state.
Lawan assured the state that the National Assembly will interface with the Federal Minister of Works and other relevant offices for the reimbursement of funds expended by the state in fixing federal roads in the State.
“You are truly a pan Nigerian. You are leader, a Governor who believes in the unity of Nigeria. We are solidly behind the quest of making Nigeria a solid, united nation. Today this country is going through a challenging period. The kind of challenges we face in Nigeria requires that all hands must be on deck to surmount the myriad of challenges facing the country.
“I’m happy and so proud to be here. I have seen a real genuine, committed partner in the development of Nigeria.
“Mr. Governor, I want to thank you for opportunity to commission this road.
Governor Udom Emmanuel is what I call justice. He is unity, he is peace, he is progress, he is development.
“And you are right in all actions you’ve taken. When this road was left at 20 percent, you took over the project for the love you have for the people of Ikot Ekpene in particular and Akwa Ibom in general. This is what Nigeria needs at this time.
“You did this because you want the people of Ikot-Ekpene and Akwa Ibom to have a good road, that’s why you put in the resources of this state to complete this road. Your request for a reimbursement by the Federal Government is in order. You deserve refund. I will join you in talking to the Federal Minister of Works and Housing to call for a refund of money sunk in the road,” Senator Lawan added.
Speaking earlier, Governor Udom Emmanuel had described the road as critically strategic to his Completion Agenda, and lauded the host communities where the project traverses for not stalling the progress of work on the road.
He appealed to the federal government to effect reimbursement to the State on the funds spent in constructing the federal roads in the state.
“The event of today is truly a joyous and happy day for me. This particular one (Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road) gives me an exceeding joy. This road remains critically strategic to our Completion Agenda.”
Allaying fears over the state of the proposed Seaport project, the Governor assured that the project was on course, assuring that nothing would stop the actualization of the project.
“In this era where there is no money we are surviving. We are expecting a whole lot more from the Federal Government. We need to be supported, we need to be encouraged.
“The noise you are hearing on social media cannot stop development on the Ibom Deep Seaport.”
Giving an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga who described Governor Emmanuel as a promise keeper, explained that the road which is a dual carriage, has each lane 8 metres wide and built to specification by the German Contactor, Julius Berger Construction Plc.
“Each lane of the road is 8 metres wide. Built to specification by Julius Berger, Akwa Ibom State does not take chances when it comes to quality.”
In their messages of goodwill, the Senator representing Ikot-Ekpene Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, House of Representatives Member for Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong and the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, Hon. Unyime Etim, showered encomiums on Governor Emmanuel for changing the narrative in infrastructural development in the State.
Recalling how the opposition used the road as a political campaign tool against the PDP, stakeholders of the area particularly praised the Governor for not abandoning a road project he inherited at 20 percent construction stage from his predecessor, but ensured that the Project was built to specification.
They described the road as an economic gateway to the state, pointing out that the road would be of immense help to the people of the area, and reassured him of their unflinching support towards his completion and succession agenda.
Among personalities included Governor’s wife, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel; Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, Senator Aloysius Etok, and the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, among others.
