Governor Otu to complete 39km C’River-Benue Border Road
National Sunday, July 16th, 2023
The traffic gridlock faced by the people of Ukelle in Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, will soon come to pass.
This assurance was made by the Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, as he promised to complete its major road project.
According to the Governor, construction work on the 42 kilometer Benue link road which was abandoned over two decades ago will commence as soon as the dry season sets in.
Speaking separately to news men shortly after he undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the state of the road, as well as in a meeting with the Clan Head of Wanokom, Chief Denis Ugede and his cabinet in his palace, Otu posited that he was ready to breathe in life into the economic value of the area by completing the only major access road to ease movement of farm produce while enhancing other economic activities.
“Today I decided to drive through all the wards in Ukelle particularly this Northern flank that borders Benue State to appraise the state of the road here with the view to bringing back the economic life of this area.
“This particular road has been a problem to my people and the project is one that is very dear to heart. So, I decided to come personally for an on-the-spot assessment of its current state to enable us commence construction work as soon as the dry season sets in.
“My aim is to create access road here to bring the ever bubbling socio-economic activities in these border communities to better the lots of our people
“Already there is some work going here and we will find out the level they have gone for possible collaboration with relevant Federal Government agencies handling the work so as to ensure speedy completion of this all important road project.
“I have been informed that successive administrations have carried out same inspections and never fulfilled the promises made, but be rest assured that this will be the final inspection by the state government officials and we are definitely going to complete the construction of this road project,” Otu assured.
He thanked the traditional institution for the support they accorded his predecessor, Prof. Ben Ayade, during his tenure and extended his gratitude to the support his administration has started enjoying upon taking over.
“let me give you my assurance that we will do all within our ability to raise the standard of living of people of Ukelle,” the governor assured.
Speaking at his Palace, Clan Head of Wanokom, Chief Denis Ugede, who spoke through an interpreter asserted, “the Ukelle nation will now sleep well having gotten such a heartwarming assurance from the government to complete their road after several years of being exposed to untold hardship due to lack of access road to evacuate their farm produce.”
The elated traditional ruler who decried the level of food wastages farmers recorded over the years said, “We are happy that today, God is going to use you to liberate the Ukelle Nation from this prolong suffering and I am happy that this will take place during our live time.
“Our people are very enterprising and I reaffirm that Northern Ukelle is the food basket of Cross River and Nigeria at large because of its peculiar agrarian endowment and I know that when the road is completed, our lives will change for better,” the royal father remarked.
He reminded the Governor on the need to review upward the monthly stipends of traditional rulers as promised during his campaign visit, maintaining that, the review will boost their morale in carrying out their traditional roles in the communities.
Former member of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata, who spoke on behalf of other stakeholders, disclosed that the people were shocked to see the governor carry out on-the-spot assessment of roads in the area after over two decades.
“We are extremely delighted to have His Excellency undergo an inspection of the abandoned road with the view to fixing it and to us, he has already started his 2027 campaign in Ukelle and we will be glad to support him.
“This road has become a big set back to us because our people are very industrious but limited by access road to evacuate their produce.
“I can attest that now that you have come, seen the road and resolved to see to its completion, economic activities on this road will be humongous and will transform the lives of our citizenry,” Lukpata intimated.
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