Calabar-Itu Road: Governor Otu to commence payment of compensation

In his determination to lessen the hardship being experienced by commuters along the collapsed Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene federal highway, Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State Governor has decided to commence the payment of compensation to communities along the road corridors to fast-track reconstruction.

According to a report by VON’S Eme Offiong, “The Special Adviser on General Duties to Governor Otu, Mr Akiba Ekpenyong, who gave the hint during a chat with journalists on Saturday, 16 December 2023, in Calabar, the state capital, said that the decision to commence payment was sequel to several interactions with different stakeholders on the way forward.

“It is noteworthy that the road dualization project is being handled by three construction companies: Sermatech Nigeria Limited, whose portion of the road is about 28km; the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd (CCECC); and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.”

The Special Adviser on General Duties to Governor Otu was reported to have said: “The Calabar-Itu Road is one of the two major outlets from Cross River to other parts of Nigeria. It links Akwa Ibom to Abia State and, for several years, has been in a terrible state. The road has practically collapsed, but the Nigerian Government has commenced reconstruction of the road.

“The road is being expanded, and this expansion has affected a lot of villagers in Odukpani local government area. With the new policy of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the burden to pay compensation now lies on the state government. So, to fast-track the reconstruction process, Governor Otu has announced that payment will commence soon.”

According to the report, Ekpenyong said the gesture, which is a relief for the affected villagers, would enable the contractors fully mobilize to site and encourage the federal government to finish the project in record time.

“When the governor made the announcement, some of the stakeholders, particularly those from the affected communities were excited.

“We know that the road is impassable, but besides the compensation, Governor Otu has started remedial work on the collapsed portion, while the other construction company is still working on its apportioned stretch,” he averred.

On internal roads repair, Ekpenyong, a legal pundit, explained that many internal roads and streets, such as Lugard and Clerks Alley were undergoing rehabilitation and construction.

“It is obvious that the government has started rehabilitation of roads across the metropolis – Calabar Municipality and Calabar South.

“In fact, another road within the 8 miles axis is being constructed with concrete. But the governor has directed that all the damaged roads be fixed, and you can see the contractors are working hard to meet the deadline given. Despite the state’s lean resources, work has to be done,” he said.

The report indicated that another intervention of the government is the construction of a fruit arcade at the Calabar Botanical Garden, a section of which is utilized as the flag-off point of the reintroduced Children’s Carnival and annual Ekpe Masquerade display, also known as ‘Nyoro’.

The governor’s aide explained that the reason for the construction of a fruit arcade within the facility and other parts of the metropolis was to create orderliness, reduce environmental pollution from waste generated due to improper disposal of spoilt fruits and vegetables along roadsides and gutters.

“We are determined to inculcate and rekindle in our people the sense of decency and neatness Calabar was known for.

“We are also making efforts to improve security within and around the garden. We are fixing up solar-powered street lights and setting up security posts.

“The strides the Cross River State Government is making seems slow because if we landed on dry land, we would have been running by now,” he concluded.