BEVERLY HILLS, CA, November 18, (THEWILL) – Modalities have been concluded by the Federal Government to commence the reconstruction of the deplorable Calabar – Itu Road which has impeded transportation within the south-south geo-political zone.
Minister of State for Works, Amb. Bashir Yuguda disclosed this in Calabar after presenting the State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to Governor Liyel Imoke and members of the Cross River State Executive Council.
Yuguda, who was responding to a request made by Imoke, revealed that final procurement processes have been concluded while the actual reconstruction will commence before the end of the year.
He noted that the state of Nigerian roads would not have been that bad if the rail system was functional and commended the state government for commencing the dualization of the IBB Way in Calabar.
On Ikom – Obudu Road, the Minister lamented that it was not captured in the budget but provision has been made for it in the next, while noting that rehabilitation on Ikom – Ogoja road is ongoing.
Earlier, Governor Imoke while welcoming Yuguda to the state, called on the Federal Government to repair all gate way roads into the state as a matter of urgency because the collapse of road infrastructure affects the state especially its tourism programme where 90 percent of the tourists come by road.
Imoke explained that Calabar – Itu – Ikot Ekpene – Aba Road has collapsed because of tremendous economic activities in Calabar.
“On a daily basis, about 300 trucks carrying cement ply that route including tankers from Tank Farms, trucks from the two flour mills, trucks conveying iron rods from Calabar Free Trade Zone, trucks carrying
agricultural produce as well as heavy duty trucks.
