By Israel Umoh
The proximity of Uyo Village Road to the seat of power popularly known as Hilltop Mansion, Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital makes it a strategic exit route.
Despite the proximity of the road to the seat of power, the road is in dire state of dilapidation with accompanying heaps of refuse.
The road, which stretches from Uyo to Nduetong Village and empties into Ntak Inyang in Itu Local Government Area, terminates at Ikot Oku Ikono-Ekritam Federal Highway.
Within its vicinity are the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary Headquarters, housing the State High Court and other high courts, Governor’s Office Annex, as well as some Federal government establishments.
Branching off through Wellington Bassey Way end is Uyo Local Government Council secretariat.
The road, which was constructed by ex-Governor Victor Attah over 20 years ago, is like a bypass to Uyo metropolis from Itu.
Contiguous are hectares of land with aging gmelina trees and economic crops, owned by the Uyo Local Government Council.
Unfortunately, it hosts a few abandoned buildings inhabited by some hapless individuals. The undulating land features descending ravine.
In December 2016, the road caught attention for a wrong reason. It was along the road that the walls of Reigners Bible Church, Uyo collapsed and sent many worshippers to their early graves.
However, the dizzying ravine that menaces the backwaters of St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, Government House, Uyo, through Urua Udofia Street and adjoining ones, swallows large hectares and properties worth billions of Naira. The menacing visitor passes through Eniong Offot, Ewet and Nduetong Oku terminating at the mouth of the road at Ntak Inyang in Itu.
A detour along the road is Uyo Stream flowing from Akpayak and emptying into Oku Village. Also seen on the road are Nature Farm, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, E-3 Event Centre, among others.
Before the slippery tarred hill on the road is a decrepit portion that hampers speedy vehicular and human traffic.
The deplorable portion stretches about 200 metres long. Yet, the neglected portion harbours refuse of massive proportion.
A flock of flamingos are seen perching and feasting on the garbage, while garbage scoopers, armed with bags and sticks, dressed in rain boots and tattered clothes, crowd the site.
Lack of receptacles and land fills, leaves the road covered in mountainous refuse. This spill has denied a few motorists quick access on the road.
A standby caterpillar crane drags garbage into the nearby ravine.
Frequently, tippers loaded with refuse, often pour it on the roadside due to inaccessibility to the ravine.
Opposite the dump site is a makeshift house with men staring at the struggling caterpillar and at times one coming to direct traffic to avoid gridlock. Adjacent are a grove of cashew trees marked ‘’Green Area’’ by the state government.
The muddy road accommodates tippers, heavy- duty trucks, and handful of privately owned cars.
To a first-time visitor, the site is unhealthy and uncomfortable to walk casually, due to the overwhelming stench.
Some passersby cover their noses, while others who are accustomed to the smell, go uncovered.
The heat that radiates from the heaps could temporarily ‘generate’ electricity or drive solar energy.
Miss Udeme Peter, one of the garbage scoopers, shared with Straightnews, that she works at the site.
According to her, “I have worked here for years. We pick some valuables and sell to people buying second hand items.”
When asked if the state government would repair the deplorable portion of the road, she assured that the government would do so, during dry season.
Another garbage scooper, Etim Udoh told Straightnews that he has been working independent of those he daubs “iron condemned.”
According to him, “I excavate the garbage and pick valuables for sale to scrap dealers.”
Fortunately, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, in September 2024, announced awarding a contract for the upgrade of the road into a dual carriageway, including construction of a bridge. The project is yet to take off in earnest.
Curious of seeing the deplorable road, the writer boarded a commercial bus on Thursday, October 17, 2024, and disembarked at Wellington Bassey Way end, a few metres to the dump site for an on-the-spot assessment. Trekking alone to it was grueling.
Suddenly, rains fell. No place to take cover, except under the shade of a cashew tree overlooking the refuse dump. The rains spattered and splattered. And stench was let loose.
As rains gradually subsided, the writer, like a smoked rodent, strolled out, thoroughly soaked. No motor cycle nor tricycle operator to ferry any, even me, to the access road. What a midnight at Uyo Village Road!
