September 02, (THEWILL) – Akwa Ibom State government has approved urgent intervention at erosion sites affecting parts of Uyo Village road and Ikpa road within the Uyo metropolis.
This was one of the resolutions at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Udom Emmanuel, Wednesday at the Exco chambers, Governor’s office, Uyo.
The state executive council directed the Ministry of Environment and Solid Mineral Development to act immediately to prevent further destruction of the environment and loss of property.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong in a statement issued at the end of the Exco meeting, informed that the Executive Council had approved the immediate award of contract for the intervention in the erosion sites at Ikpa road and Uyo village road.
According to him “The Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals was directed to act immediately to prevent further degradation of the environment and loss of property.”
Recall that the erosion site at Ikpa Road has been a dead trap to the people living in the area and motorists for a long time, even as residents have consistently sought Government intervention.
Over five buildings were recently buried, many others threatened and many feared displaced especially when the road was finally barricaded and motorists had to navigate through some bush tracks or consider alternative longer journeys.
THEWILL correspondent who visited the area recently reported that over five buildings including commercial stalls had collapsed even as others were being threatened by the fast encroaching ravine.
It would have turned fatal if not for the wisdom of the residents, who made efforts to organize the youths to control vehicles going to Uyo City Polytechnic, Barracks roads, Calabar-Itu Highway and other parts of town through the failed portion of the road.
” The schools that are inside here the students cannot have free access to school to receive lectures. So Keke stops here and then the youths will direct them on how to go to the other side so that they will not eventually fall into the ravine.
“I have personally spent four nights here because when it happened some people did not know that something like this was going on. So by putting in light we have been able to save a lot of people from speeding into the ravine. This is how far we have gone.” A youth narrated.
Responding to the plights of the people then; the state commissioner of Environment and Solid Minerals, Mr. Charles Udoh had said there is nothing the state government can do about the situation until the rain stops.
He had however appealed to residents to agree with the state government saying that the engineering drawings have been completed waiting for the rain to stop.
The news of the resolve by the state government to urgently intervene in the erosion menace gives the people in the area a sense of belonging as they defied the early morning rain to celebrate the news.
“Yes, we are very happy to know that Udom Emmanuel, our Governor, heard our cry. We are ready to help any company that will be sent here to work fast so we can get this fine road back.
“Journalists thank you for always reporting about the state of this road. Now the Government has heard us, we are happy. Thank you” a youth of the area noted.
