In a bid to re-energise and increase footfalls into the famous Obudu ranch
resort as well as provide access to produce markets, Cross River State
Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, weekend, flagged off the construction work on a
134 kilometers Mfom-Okpoma-Imaje-Bekwarra-Obudu-Obanliku dual carriage
road.
The construction of the Federal road which will traverse the five local
government areas that constitute the Northern Senatorial District of the
state is valued at N31 billion and it is expected to be completed in 30
months.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony that was attended by his deputy,
Prof Ivara Esu, House of Representatives members from the five local
government areas, traditional rulers as well as a huge crowd of indigenes
from the five local government areas of Bekwarra, Yala, Ogoja, Obudu and
Obanliku, Ayade said the event marks “the beginning of a new journey in the
history of the Northern Senatorial District which for 45 years has been
denied the luxury of driving on good roads occasioned by the challenges of
the times and circumstances not occasioned by our people.”
Ayade lamented due to this the “people are totally disconnected from the
point of mercantile, social interactions and indeed all prospect that gives
people dignity.
“Our economic life is completely gone, our large farms that fed the entire
South-south and South-east is gone. Our educational institutions and all
that united us have gone as a result of perpetual neglect and bad roads,
but God has brought us again to take our destiny into our hands that we
shall be reconnected and be united.”
The governor further declared: “We will succeed because I know the trying
moments of my people, difficulty in gaining access to farm lands, locating
streams, coupled with hash weather condition is over. They toil so much,
pray so hard struggle so much but earn so little. God cannot forsake us at
this point.”
On the state’s financial power to embark on such a massive road project,
Ayade explained: “At this trying time, a time of recession, it is almost
impossible to do over 134 kilometres of a dual carriage road at the cost of
N31 billion. That is absolutely impossible within the ambit of our
financial calculus.
“However, there is an intellectual architecture that I am designing to make
up for these financial difficulties. It is so unique that only I know the
solution. We cannot wait to have enough money to get the road done. If that
was the case we will not have the salaries we are earning today.
“Cross River State is number 35 out of 36 states in terms of federation
allocations. In spite of this, we are the most outstanding in the payment
of salaries, not because we have enough but it’s because we care enough.”
Ayade further stressed that “When you have the interest of the people and
are committed to their wellbeing, combined with spiritual vision, God will
make the provision because He sees the sincerity of our heart that indeed,
our people are in dire need of this road.”
The governor assured that “Nothing financial, spiritual or political will
stop this project. Those who know me will attest to the fact that I never
start a thing that I won’t complete. I am indeed a promised keeper. I
always keep my word and I am ready to give my right eye to honour my words
and will ensure that the job is completed in good time.”
On the economic viability of the road, Ayade pointed out that “This road is
not driven by ambition nor childhood propensity to achieve what you have
set, but it is a thorough reflection of the yearnings and needs of our
people.
“I believe that this road is the beginning of prosperity and in the words
of the Paramount Ruler of Obudu, it is clear that it is one thing that is
going to build us again as a team and as a people and I l believe that the
people of the Northern Senatorial District are totally united in solidarity
with this road.” The governor said: “It is an opportunity to attract the
desired traffic from the eastern flank of the country to access our
facilities at the Obudu, return back to our bustling Okuku market once
again and most importantly rewrite the Ogoja’s name in our country’s map.
“This project is beaconed on a promise of decoupling our people from over
dependence on government because road is a major infrastructure in the
socio economic development of our state”.
The governor particularly thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his
ability to appreciate the capacity of every governor particularly those
working to free their people from financial crisis.
Also speaking, members of the House of Representatives from the area, Hon.
Agom Jarigbe Agom and Hon Legor Idabor in their separate remarks, described
the project as a novelty because it is the first major project to be
embarked in the area since they resumed offices as lawmakers, saying that
they were proud to be associated with the governor in his quest to
transform the socio-economic landscape of the state..
While assuring Ayade of their support, the lawmakers thanked the people of
the state for the confidence imposed in him, adding: “I can now see that we
did not make a mistake by voting Ayade as our governor.”
Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers in the area, Paramount Ruler
of Obudu, Uti Joseph-Davies Agba, described the road as a twain that will
bind and unite the people again, even as he thanked Ayade for his
pragmatism in ensuring that he brings back life to the oldest and neglected
local government in Nigeria, Ogoja.
He prayed for wisdom, strength and God’s provision of resources to enable
the governor fulfil all his lofty dreams for the transformation of the
state to a more prosperous destination.
Former Minister of the Environment, Chief John Odey who spoke on behalf of
the host communities, promised to collaborate with the firm handling the
project to ensure its timely completion, adding that the importance of the
road to the socio-economic life of his people cannot be overemphasized.
On his part, the Federal Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works,
Engr. Agbara promised to support the state in its effort at constructing
the road, assuring that the ministry will be on site to ensure that
contractors keep to the scope, design and specification during the course
of the exercise.
Commissioner for Works, Hon Dane Osim-Asu who disclosed that the state
started procurement for the construction exercise in January 2016, said
that after a very transparent process, Messer Sydney Construction was
chosen by the state executive council in October 2016 for the commencement
of construction work.
He thanked the contracting firm for the show of love for the state by
commencing construction work before mobilization was paid, describing it
as unprecedented. He urged them to maintain the tempo to ensure completion
of work according to time line.
Pic caption
Cross river State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade flanked by his Deputy prof.
Ivara Esu, Speaker House of assembly, hon. John Gaul Lebor and Commissioner
for works performing the symbolic ground breaking ceremony for the 134
kilometre dual carriage road in Mfom, Ogoja, weekend.