Bishop Emmah Isong, has accused both Akwa Ibom and Cross River States leaders of keeping quiet while watching Calabar-Itu Road degenerates into its present condition.
Fielding questions from newsmen on the present condition of the road, Bishop Isong said, “remember I told you Journalists sometimes that if former President Goodluck Jonathan does not finish that road, which is part of the East-West road, it comes through Ikot Ekpene; there are two routes, there is one that comes through Uyo also and terminates by that Itu junction.
“In fact it is supposed to continue till Ikom; if you remember, I said if Jonathan as a Niger Deltan does not do that road, we will struggle to finish that road.
“I even said he will not win re-election, I said it very clearly, even as a prophet, I said it. I am so passionate about that road, I have lost members of my family and the church on that road, I have done burials of pastors on that road; my own wife had terrible accident on that road and came for thanksgiving.
“You know my wife is in the judicial system of a neighbouring state, we operate from two states and have intermarried, I belong to two states, so when you mention the road, let me give you the most emotional part of my thoughts on this Calabar-Itu road.
“Are you aware that all those that we have put in charge of the NDDC and all those ministers from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states end up only contesting governorship elections as their priority projects?
“Please give me one name that has been a Niger Delta minister or NDDC MD or Chairman and I will tell you which governorship elections he tried to contest, you are journalists, do your investigations and prove me wrong. When I speak, I speak with data and have done my research, what is that kind of scenario?
“Let me give you the shock of your life, in the past 10 years, it is Cross River and Akwa Ibom states that have dominated the NDDC, either as minister or MD, I have not seen two states, who almost own the Niger Delta or the NDDC.
“Not quite long, Usani Usani just handed over to Godswill Akpabio, I don’t know if I am wrong and unfortunately, we have just been unable to finish our only road that takes us out, apart from Ikom road, which we drive to the North. I know that some of you as I am talking have not passed through that road and if you pass through it, you will develop hatred for both local, state and federal governments.
“You will even begin to hate your councilor from your state. It is a road that will take 35 minutes if it is good, but it takes 4 hours if you are with a good car and if you don’t meet gridlocks. People have died on that road, like Professors Etuk and Mbikpon were killed on that road. I can give you over 20 names. How many kilometres is the road and we cannot just focus on it and get this road finished, he quipped.

By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar