The Ikom–Boki–Obudu Road, a federal highway in Cross River State connecting Benue State through Vandeikya to Obudu, has become a death trap and barely motorable despite promises made by the government over the years.

In a post shared on X, a civil society organisation (CSO), MonITNG noted the road, which ought to lifeline for thousands of residents, traders, and farmers has become has been neglected for years and is a barrier to economic growth.

It described the road as the backbone of the connection between Obudu in Cross River State, known for tourism, Boki and Ikom in the state, which are famous for agriculture and cocoa production, respectively.

“This federal highway connects Benue State through Vandeikya to Obudu, then runs down to Boki and Ikom in Cross River. Obudu is known for tourism, Boki is rich in agriculture and forest resources, while Ikom is a major cocoa-producing hub and commercial centre that links Nigeria to Cameroon. This road is the backbone of their connection and it’s crumbling,” the post read in part.

MonITNG also accused the former Governor of the State, Ben Ayade, of promising to repair the road, but abandoning it to pursue the construction of the Calabar Super Highway.

“Under former Governor @senatorbenayade, multiple promises were made to fix this road. Budget allocations running into billions were made in 2020 and 2021, yet nothing was done. The road has been in its worst state for over five years, and communities along this corridor have seen no relief or results.

“While the government chased the Calabar Super Highway—an ambitious project that never went beyond clearing land, the Ikom–Boki–Obudu Road, which actually serves the people and drives daily economic activity, was ignored. It shows how misplaced priorities have deepened hardship across these communities,” MonITNG added.

The CSO also implored the Federal Government to repair the road, noting that it is a vital infrastructure that the people of Obudu, Boki, Ikom, and beyond need to access schools, hospitals, markets, and opportunities.