Governor Udom Emmanuel Applauded Over Udung Uko Road Projects

Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration has been applauded for the construction of roads leading to Eyofin, Edikor, Ekim group of communities in Udung Uko local government area, with a spur at Eyo Abasi in Oron LGA.

Governor Udom Emmanuel’s impact in the area has continued to attract widespread commendations from a cross-section of Udung Uko residents, at home and abroad, who described the development as historic and a show of love from the governor to the people of the area.

The latest commendation and show of appreciation came from the amalgamated youth group in the area, whose membership and representation is drawn from the entire local government area.

Speaking through one of its leading representatives, Comrade Imoh Eneh, the youth group told newsmen, that it deemed it necessary to appreciate Governor Emmanuel, who for the first time in history of the local government, has graciously made a landmark impact and a legacy for posterity through the award and subsequent construction of one of the long neglected road network in the area.

“I wish to, on behalf of the youth of Udung Uko present here, appreciate the Governor of Akwa Ibom State very immensely, Mr Udom Emmanuel, for his good plans and good intention to ameliorate the sufferings of the people. It is on record that for the first time in the history of the local government, almost after twenty years and above, Udung Uko and its people have felt a positive impact of government through the award of contact for the construction of key road network that leads the people freely to other communities in Udung Uko Local Government Area. The economic and social importance of this particular road cannot be overemphasized”, Comrade Eneh explained.

The youth representatives, who numbered over 30 and were at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko Local Government Area, HRM Odidem Bassey Etim Edet on a peaceful protest, however expressed their displeasure over the way and manner Efomet Construction Company Limited, the contractor handling the road construction work is executing the project.

They said that they were in totally dismayed having discovered that the contractor had not only stopped work and all their equipment moved out of site, but that their disappearance has equally led to the abandonment of a large section of the road leading to Ekim community in Udung Uko LGA, with a spur at Eyo Abasi village in Oron LGA.

The youth, who carried placards with different inscriptions such as, ” Mr Contractor come and complete our road in Udung Uko LGA”, said they were at the royal palace to express their displeasure over the abandonment, adding that the ugly development was an act of sabotaging the good and genuine intention of the state government to bring development closer to the people at the grassroot.

He said they decided to visit the paramount ruler inorder to lay their complaints after every frantic effort made to reach out to Efomet Construction Company Limited, to know the remote cause of the abandonment, proved abortive.

While appealing to the contractor to return to site and carryout the construction work to its completion, the youth group maintained that if the remaining section of the road project is completed, it would improve the economic fortune of the people who before now have suffered bad effect of the deplorable condition of the road.

“Whatever is responsible for the abandonment of the project should be resolve amicably for the contractor to move to site immediately and have the job completed. Udung Uko people deserve the impact of democratic governance which Governor Udom Emmanuel has graciously and favourably approved for the people”, he submitted.

Responding, the Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko Local Government Area, HRM Odidem Baseey Etim Edet, who also expressed dismay over the unfortunate development, said he was aware that such abandoned road project exists in his domain.

The royal father added that the uncompleted portion was supposed to traverse through Ekim community, with extension to Eyo Abasi village, but is left uncompleted right in front of his palace, a development he described at embarrassing.

Odidem Etim Edet therefore promised that he and members of his traditional council would reach out to the appropriate authority to ascertain the remote cause of the abandonment and the way forward.