The deplorable International Stadium Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital spanning four communities has forced many residents to flee the area and has grounded their businesses, Straightnews online has gathered.
Contract for the construction of the 2.9 km road was awarded by Governor Udom Emmanuel administration in 2019 to Janagan Nigeria Enterprises to be supervised by the state Ministry of Special Duties.
The road which serves as an alternative route to Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo spans Obio Etoi, Obio Offot, Use Ikot Ebio communities in Uyo and Ikot Ntuen Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
Straightnews newspaper understands that between December 2019 and January 2021 construction work began, the road that was usually plied by the road users and residents has been rendered impassable by the contracting firm.
Such adjoining roads and streets as Redemption Avenue passing through Redemption Academy, Obio Offot to Mbiokporo, Akwa Efak Road leading to Mbierede Obio, and other streets bursting into Abak Road, Uyo, among others, could not be accessed through the deplorable road.
Some residents in the area who spoke to our reporter, were in tears, lamenting that some landlords have relocated while new tenants are unwilling to rent houses in the area due to the deplorable nature of the road.
Prince Joseph Udofia, a businessman said ‘‘Contractor commenced work on the road in January 2021. Before this time, the road could be accessed by passersby. As soon the contractor came in, he bulldozed it and piled up huge sand, making it difficult for motorists to ply. Even residents could not drive into their houses as the mounting earthwork has blocked parking lots and routes.
Udofia, an indigene of Obio Etoi, noted ‘‘To underscore its importance, the road is linked to a street leading to the house of a serving state Commissioner in the present administration. Let me say that the road has adjoining routes leading to Afaha Nsit, Urua Ndak and other areas.
‘‘Though we are living in the state capital close to an international stadium, we are deprived of constant electricity supply, no pipe-borne water and no access road. During rains, the area is heavily flooded. Owing to these challenges, we are faced with constant burglary activities as calls on police intervention do not yield result since there is no road for them to patrol the area,’’ the Obong Efak recounted.
Udofia, who showed the reporter round his barbing/gas shop shut due to the poor road network, called on the state government to complete the road to ameliorate hardships facing the people.
Another resident in the area, Edet Gabriel Akpan from Obio Offot, complained that he is living from hand to mouth as his major source of livelihood- iron bending- is not patronized due to the bad road.
‘‘In addition, we suffer a lot due to the abandoned road. The road is overgrown with weeds. During rains, flooding would sack me and my household. Even when we manage to sleep in the compound, mosquitoes will make life unbearable for us in the night,’’ Akpan lamented.
Recounting his ordeals too, Etebong Emilian Asuquo, a farmer from Obio Offot, complained of incessant flooding caused by the undulating but poorly constructed drains.
‘‘Excavated earth is heaped on the road. No compensation has been paid on the demolition of their shops by the contacting firm. No access or alternative route has been provided to our houses. Some people have sustained injury as a result of trying to cross the makeshift crossbar on the rickety road into their compounds. The situation is terrible.’’
Asuquo, therefore, called on the state government direct the contractor to immediately complete the road alleviate their sufferings.
Our reporter who visited the road on last Thursday discovered that the road has deterred traders from merchandising the Obio Etoi Community Market; Nka Unwan Obio Offot Farmers, kiosks and other petty businesses are closed, while the student’s population of Royal Nefsea Secondary School, Obio Offot, has dwindled and many petty businesses are closed due to the deplorable nature of the road.
Our efforts to reach the Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Bassey Okon and the contractor proved difficult as they could not respond to our numerous telephone calls.
