Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Poorly Constructed Roads In A’Ibom

Members of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly through their Committee on Finance and Appropriation led by Rt Hon Uduak Odudoh, have raised concerns over the spate of abandoned, dilapidated and poorly constructed roads in the state.
The Lawmakers expressed their displeasure on Monday during a budget defence estimate for the year 2020 by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state held at the Assembly complex.
When the commissioner for works, Mr. Ephraim Inyan-eyen, appeared before the committee, they observed that although a huge amount of money had been released for road infrastructural development, most of the roads constructed by Udom Emmanuel’s administration may not stay beyond the lifespan of this government.
Leading the probe was a first timer in the 7th Assembly and member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency who serves as Chairman Judiciary, Justice, Public Petition and Human Rights, Hon Victor Ekwere, who noted the early dilapidation of Awa-Ukam road and Ikot Edehge road in Mkpat Enin less than six months after commissioning.
According to Hon Ekwere, “I have taken a case study of nine Local Government Areas. So far, out of the 57 roads constructed by this administration, about 97 per cent have failed according to statistics. Maybe because they were made to be trunk A-roads but now turned to trunk C.
“The Awa -Ukam road was commissioned barely two months on May 29th 2019 but it is now a total mess. I have been receiving calls and I have gone to check the road myself. It is a real mess.”
In corroboration, the member representing Nsit Atai State Constituency, Rt Hon Mark Esset who said the situation was very pathetic as the bus the committee used during inspection in the area broke down in one of the dilapidated spots wondered why inexperienced construction firms were contracted to carry out the job.