Following a 9News Nigeria report on ongoing and abandoned projects in Akwa Ibom State, the Commissioner for information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong got in contact with 9News Nigeria, Akwa Ibom correspondents.
The Commissioner said that there are no abandoned projects in Akwa Ibom State and that, 9News Nigeria should have reported that the projects are ongoing and not abandoned.
In view of this, the honourable Commissioner organized a tour of state government projects, so we could factor in a different perspective to our narrative.
The Director of Public Relations in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs Grace Akpan led the tour
Our first point of call was Atan Offot, where we saw ongoing construction work on the road and adjoining streets in Atan Offot
The Ring Road Three that links Abak road through Aka road was receiving attention, though left for more than two years, but right now the situation is different because work is ongoing.
The next point of call was Tabernacle road off Ikot Ekpene road, obviously, the road is abandoned by the government since 2015. Mr Nse, a resident of Tabernacle road said the road has been abandoned for years, and this has made residents resort to self-help in ensuring that flood in the area is checked and water doesn’t overun their home furniture.
Tabernacle road, if constructed could be a bye-pass to reduce traffic at Itam roundabout because it links Calabar Itu highway from Nelson Mandela.
This abandoned road project is an important one that if given the required attention could enhance business interest around that axis.
The team’s next stop was Ikot Ekwere road in Itam, which we discovered has been abandoned for so many years, the road links one from Calabar Itu highway to Ikot Ekpene Itu highway. This will definitely enhance the movement of goods if constructed.
We also discovered the massive land earmarked by former Governor Godswill Akpabio for an International Market at Ikot Ekwere Itam. The land is now used for water leaf farm by residents of Ikot Ekwere and its environs.
However, the supposed market space is manned by gatemen who report for duty daily.
At Mbak Itam, the international market with buildings erected to lintel level had been abandoned by Gov Udom Emmanuel’s administration. We observed that the buildings are barricaded with Iron sheets by the Hausa – Fulani brothers who are fast making that area their community.
Investigation has shown that illicit drugs are sold in that area and there is a high level of drug abuse in that area.
In our findings, it is true that the government has resumed work on some projects that were hitherto abandoned but there are some more that are yet to receive government attention, but are still in the state of abandonment.
Citing, COVID-19, raining seasons, and bureaucracy surrounding the change of contractors in some cases, the State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong said the Governor has made a promise of not leaving office on May 29, 2023, without completing all projects initiated by his administration.
While operations and constructions have resumed in some sites in the State, residents still thumb down Governor Emmanuel’s initiative of mobilizing contractors to sites in less than two years of his exit, meanwhile, most of these projects had been abandoned between 4 – 6 years as the case may be.
And considering the raining season which has just started in Akwa Ibom State, residents doubt Gov. Emmanuel’s sincerity in completing all his projects
