C’River urges federal action on decade-long neglect of Calabar-Uyo highway

The Cross River state government has urged the federal government to expedite the reconstruction of the Calabar-Uyo federal highway to alleviate the suffering of motorists and residents.

The Commissioner for Commerce, Abigail Duke Orok, made the appeal during a recent visit to the Federal Controller of Works in Calabar.

The Calabar-Uyo federal highway, which connects Calabar, the state capital, with Akwa Ibom and neighbouring eastern states, has been dilapidated for over 10 years.

Orok said the poor condition of the roads leading to the state capital has raised concerns among business operators and is adversely affecting the movement of goods and services, leading to increased transportation costs.

She called on the federal government to address critical road infrastructure issues to boost participation in this year’s International Trade Fair, scheduled for November, and the Carnival Calabar in December.

Orok said, “We appeal for palliative work to be carried out on key access roads to encourage maximum participation from our neighbouring states and countries during the upcoming Trade Fair and Carnival.”

According to her, many access roads to Calabar are deplorable. They are almost impassable, particularly the Calabar-Uyo, Ikom-Obudu, Bekwarra-Vandekya axis of Ogoja, and the Akamkpa/Biase section of the Calabar-Ikom axis, among others .

The Federal Controller of Works in Cross River, Adebisi Osim, acknowledged the concerns and assured that he would relay the message to the appropriate authorities.

He also disclosed that the ministry is in contact with contractors working on the routes to ensure the timely completion of the roads.