Use Ikot Amama Road: A rescue have arrived

By Emmanuel Nicholas

Use Ikot Amama road has emerged as one of the most significant projects during Senator Godswill Akpabio’s tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Following the inauguration of the 10.9 km Use Ikot Amama road, which encompasses two bridges with spans of 40 m and 20 m, numerous social media users have questioned whether this is indeed the same road project initiated by Senator Godswill Akpabio’s administration.

To clarify the facts, it is essential to note that the previous administration completed only a segment of the road, which could be classified as Phase 1, and this segment did not even extend to the Use Ikot Amama village. The total length of the road exceeds 17 km.

Over the years, this road has been plagued by severe erosion issues, rendering it impassable for travelers, and leaving the residents feeling neglected and forsaken.

Governor Umo Eno’s primary vision within the Arise Agenda is to foster the development of rural communities throughout Akwa Ibom State.

Demonstrating profound empathy for the populace, he decided to award the contract for the construction of this road, aiming to alleviate the hardships faced by the impoverished residents of the area.

Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, one of the largest in Akwa Ibom State, is home to extensive agricultural settlements due to its vast landscape. However, many communities within this area lack adequate access roads, largely due to severe erosion challenges.

As a result of these dire road conditions, farmers in these communities have been unable to transport their produce to market, compelling them to sell their goods to a limited number of traders who come to purchase at significantly reduced prices due to the inadequate road infrastructure.

The Use Ikot Amama road traverses a hilly terrain, characterized by artificial valleys that facilitate rapid rainwater runoff, which has obstructed the flow of commerce between the Ibiono Local Government Area and the adjacent Ikono Local Government Area.

The construction of this road under Governor Umo Eno’s administration will facilitate inter-community interactions in terms of trade and market access.

It will foster stronger relationships between residents of both local government areas, promoting increased inter-community marriages and business partnerships that have long been hindered by poor road connectivity.

During the inauguration, Governor Umo Eno, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of the road, which links Ibiono Ibom with Ikono LGA, and tasked the construction firm, Setraco Limited, with executing the project by established specifications.

Setraco is one of Nigeria’s oldest construction firms, boasting over three decades of civil engineering experience across various states in the country.

This is why the Governor, in his remarks, highlighted his choice of Setraco as the construction firm for this project, citing the challenging hilly terrain and the need for a high level of professionalism.

He stated, “We have confidence in Setraco Limited’s ability to navigate this hilly landscape and deliver a road of the highest quality as anticipated. You are among the premier road contractors, which is precisely why you were selected for this project.”

The Governor also reiterated his commitment to the Arise Agenda, which prioritizes rural development.

“We are resolute in our mission to seamlessly connect every corner of this state with an economically viable road network. Road infrastructure serves as a vital catalyst for development, and we are dedicated to elevating the standards of progress across all sectors of our economy, including tourism, healthcare, transportation, and beyond.”

Governor Umo Eno has emerged as a saviour for the residents of Use Ikot Amama and surrounding communities along this road, and within the next 24 months or less, they will benefit from a well-constructed road that facilitates travel and commerce.

The two bridges along this route, which have fallen into disrepair, have rendered travel impossible, but they are set to be revitalized as the Governor has entrusted the project to a competent construction firm renowned for its expertise in bridge construction.

Governor Umo Eno is not engaging in political maneuvering regarding project allocations; rather, he is genuinely focused on the comprehensive development of Akwa Ibom State, free from tribal biases and political divisions.

He has fostered a spirit of unity within Akwa Ibom State, effectively ending the era of political marginalization and tribal discrimination.

The people of Ibiono rejoice, for you were, once overlooked like a lifeless parrot, has now been remembered for good, akin to Mordecai in sacred texts.

You were destined for greatness, yet your brilliance was dimmed. You were elevated, yet you remained mired in adversity. You shone in rhetoric, but in reality, you faced the harshest conditions.

The lamentable saga of the 10.9 km Use Ikot Amama road, featuring two bridges with spans of 40 m and 20 m, will conclude in approximately 24 months, liberating the people from the shackles of underdevelopment caused by the road’s dismal state.

Governor Umo Eno, Ph.D., has come as a saviour to deliver once-abandoned communities and rescue them from their dire circumstances.