The Calabar – Ikom – Ogoja road constructed in 1975 is one of the oldest roads still motorable in Cross River state 43 years after.
The Odukpani – Akamkpa – Biase section of the Calabar – Ikom – Ogoja Road has been a death trap for motorist for years now especially heavy duty vehicles.
The 73 kilometer long single carriageway serves as the link between the industrial town of Akamkpa to Yakurr and other northern part of the state.
It’s frequent plying by, industrial vehicles and heat duty trucks had led to the deterioration of the road to an almost impassable state.
This has led to major road accidents, breakdowns, death, loss of lives and properties.
Some motorist who ply that road who spoke with our correspondent revealed that the road has become the transporters nightmare with it’s condition becoming worse than the popular Calabar – Itu road.
Philip Awuna a commercial driver hinted that there has been a deep pothole at Uyangha in Akamkpa Local Government, by the primary school, for over 6 years. This pothole according to him has claimed so many lives and caused breakdown of vehicles without any lasting measure on the road.
Another driver who simply gave his name as Ayaya Abasi told BEAGLE NEWS that he was present at the ground breaking ceremony of the rehabilitation of the Odukpani – Akamkpa – Biase road but is surprised that the road is yet to be done.
“I was at the flag off of the road years back at Akpet where the contract was awarded by the minister of Works for the rehabilitation of this road, we were happy that the road will be like the Ikom – Ugep axis of the road but up-till now nothing has been done.
“We need government to come to our aid and fix this road. This is a portion we ply 1hour 20mins at most from Calabar to Ugep but as we speak, you will use nothing less than 2 hours 30mins on that stretch” he lamented.
Findings reveal that in January 2017, the federal Ministry of works under the then minister Babatunde Fashola awarded the same Odukpani Junction – Ikot Okopra – Akpet 1 road to Sermatech construction company for rehabilitation at the sum of Fourteen Trillion, seventeen million, one hundred and seventy thousand, five hundred and ninety seven Naira 90 Kobo (NGN14,017,170,597.90k).
The contract according to specifications spelt out on Sermatech’s website www.sermatechng.com was supposed to last for 24 months (2 years). 5 years later, the road is yet to be worked on.
Again, in February 2024, data sources reveal that another 1.4billion was awarded to same Sermatech construction company for the rehabilitation of the same Odukpani Junction – Akpet Central – Biase portion of the road. 8 months now and a visit to the road reveals no work on site.
Meanwhile, Tracka.ng a Nigerian budget and project monitoring site reported in August 2024 that the 73km Odukpani Junction – Akpet Central portion of the road has been completed by Sermatech Nigeria Limited and is being out to use.
Inspection visit to the road revealed that no recent construction nor rehabilitation work has been carried out on the road while the road is seen to be in a very deplorable state.
On Tuesday, a Dangote truck fell along the Awi axis of the road causing hold up to vehicular movement. For about 2 months now, vehicles plying the road experience holdup almost everyday as either a car has broken down or fallen around the bad spots due to the condition of the road.
With the condition of the road becoming a serious concern, one begins to wonder if the contractors are yet to be mobilised to site or the supervising ministry has failed in it’s duty to monitor and ensure the job is done.
Whichever be the situation, the loss of lives and other issues caused by the condition of the road can be curtailed by ensuring the contractors return to site.
