Etim Ekpo People Raise Alarm Over Death Toll At Utu Etim Ekpo Roundabout

The people of Etim Ekpo State Constituency through their representative at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have raised alarm over the high death toll experienced at the Utu Etim Ekpo Roundabout.

It could be recalled that there have been numerous accidents recorded at the roundabout in the past years leaving those who ply the Afaha-Obong, Etim Ekpo, Udua Inyang, Iwukem Road worry over their safety on the road.

The concern was brought to the fore on the floor of the hallowed chamber of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Tuesday by Member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Hon. Mfon Idung.

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Leading the discourse on the motion, the lawmaker recalled how 36 lives were lost at the roundabout on November 1, 2012, noting that the situation still continues till date.

He prayed the Governor should order for the immediate inspection of the roundabout by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Works and a team of engineers to ascertain the appropriate design and location of the roundabout and report to the State Executive.

Hon Idung also called on the Governor to direct Setraco to redesign and reconstruct the roundabout under the supervision of the Ministry of Works in line with international best practices for the construction of roundabout on public highways.

Lawmakers spoke in support of the motion, which led to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, referring the matter to the Committee on Works and Transport in collaboration with the Ministry of Works for further investigation and to report back to the House within two weeks.

While interacting with newsmen after plenary, the lawmaker said, “My major concern are the souls going at the roundabout. It is a matter of urgent importance. I believe there will be a timely action. On daily basis, people are travelling to Aba and Port Harcourt. Some years ago, youths went to remove the roundabout and we said no, they should not take laws into their hands. It is a thing of concern to the people Etim Ekpo/Ika.

“From Udua-Inyang to Abia borders, the road construction was awarded by NDDC to a contractor but the job was abandoned and today the road is inaccessible.

Still on the motion titled, ‘Continuous deaths from ghastly vehicular accident at Utu Etim Ekpo Roundabout,’ brought pursuant to Order III (three) Rule I (one) of the standing order of the House stated inter-alia; “I am compelled to bring forward this motion as the last desperate attempt to save the souls of the remaining people of Etim Ekpo and Ika Local Government Areas that I represent in this hallowed chamber and in fact, other persons who, for any reason, have to travel through the Afaha-Obong, Etim Ekpo, Udua Inyang, Iwukem Road.

“My people rolled out drums and celebrated the award of contract for the construction of Afaha-Obong, Etim Ekpo, Udua Inyang, Iwukem Road to Setraco Nigeria Limited sometime in 2007 during the early days of the former administration. The people saw the administration as a sweet relief and redemption to the once forgotten, rejected and dejected people who contribute immensely to the economic sustenance of the state through agriculture.

“The road construction which was soon completed and put to use but instead has caused hardship, untimely deaths of uncountable number of innocent and unsuspecting commuters, many of whom are indigenes of the area.

“The roundabout located after Etim Ekpo bridge, after the Local Government Secretariat, is inappropriate, obscure and not easily noticeable to approaching vehicles. This leads to frequent accidents at the roundabout resulting to loss of lives of uncountable number of persons both indigenes and other innocent road users who merely use the road to get to their destination.”