The Member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Godwin Offiono Yesterday, October 19th 2023, on the floor of the House moved a motion for the rehabilitation of the Bekwarra-Ogoja-Ikom-Calabar Federal Highway in Cross River State.
The Member reminded the lawmakers that the Bekwarra-Ogoja-Ikom-Calabar Federal Road Network in Cross River State is one of the major roads connecting South-South to the Northern parts of Nigeria.
He elucidated the deplorable condition of the road which calls for the Federal Government’s intervention, as road users spend 6-8 hours in gridlock transporting goods through Cross River State. And that since the construction of the road in the 1970s, the road has not undergone significant rehabilitation, making it challenging for commuters and articulated vehicles to transport both perishable and non-perishable goods.
Hon. Offiono raised concerns that the dilapidated condition of the road poses a significant security and death threat to citizens transporting goods and services from the northern parts of Nigeria to Cross River State and other Southern areas of the country. He also expressed concerns on the frequent road accidents and traffic congestion that have reduced commercial activities and increased crime rates, consequently increasing the cost of transportation merely due to neglect and deterioration of the road, hence the need to address the adverse condition of the road.
The MP also revealed that most portions of the road have been rendered impassable by deep potholes posing a danger to road users, as trucks often fall and spend days transporting goods, thus, causing significant inconveniences.
He therefore urges the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to provide palliative measures on the Bekwarra-Ogoja-Ikom-Calabar road to ease the movement of goods and services.
He also requests the Federal Ministry of Works to make adequate budgetary provisions in the 2024 budget estimate to address the deplorable conditions of the road.
Reacting during the plenary, the House referred the motion to the committees on works and Federal Road maintenance Agency, FERMA, for legislative compliance.
