By Osondu Ahirika
The Akwa Ibom State Government has restated its resolve to break the seeming jinx of delivering on the masdive road construction projects in Oruk Anam Local Government Area and link it up to other parts of the State.
Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen gave the assurance after interacting with the officials of Total Advance Engineering Service Limited and Almajdal Limited, handlers of the 23.25km Ikot Ekaide – Ikot Okoro – Ikot Ibritam Road with two number bridges of 30m and 70m span and the 18.95km Ikot Ibritam – Ekeffe – Ikot Akpan Afaha Road in Oruk Anam and Ukanafun Local Government Area respectively.
Commissioner Inyangeyen who admitted that, several challenges including security breaches and lack of capacity by previous contractors in the past hampered the progress of work on the project, however assured that, Governor Udom Emmanuel remains determined to break the jinx and get the projects completed soon.
While acknowledging that the terrain is challenging, Mr Inyangeyen also appealed to the people of Oruk Anam to cooperate with the contractor’s and desist from any acts that threatens the security of the contractor’s, their agents or equipments.
The Works commissioner observed that, Governor Emmanuel had identified Oruk Anam and Ukanafun as among the Local Government Areas that had little or nothing in terms of road network and accordingly embarked on these massive projects to remedy that ugly situation.
He however expressed delight at the renewed pace of Work on the Projects and pledged the total support of his Ministry for the Contractor’s to ensure they deliver on time.
A cross section of indigenes who spoke on the condition of the road, commended the State Government for the new lease of life witnessed on the ongoing projects but however appealed to the State Government to leave no stone unturned in keeping the pressure on the contractor’s to deliver the project on time so as to ameliorate their suffering.
