C’River council chairmen lament deplorable condition of federal roads

Local government council chairmen in Cross River State have expressed dismay over the deplorable state of federal roads in the state, and are calling on the Federal Government to expedite action on the reconstruction of the roads in order to assuage the sufferings of the people.

For so many years, federal roads in Cross River have been in a very bad state. Notable among them are the Calabar-Itu, Calabar-Ikom and Calabar-Akpabuyo federal roads, which link the state with the south-south, south-east and northern parts of the country.

As a result, commuters have been going through excruciating experiences on a daily basis as they spend long hours to travel from Calabar, the state capital, to other parts of the country.

The deplorable state of these roads has, however, drawn the ire of council chairmen in the state who are appealing to the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, commence the reconstruction of the roads.

Chairman of Calabar municipality, Ntufam Donatus Etim, who spoke in an exclusive chat with Nigerian Tribune, lamented that due to the deplorable condition of federal roads, Cross River had been cut off from other parts of the country, a situation he said had slowed down economic activities in the state.

He said since the roads had been included in the 2016 federal budget, the Federal Government should ensure speedy rehabilitation of the roads.

The Council boss said, “Considering the high traffic and pressure occasioned by heavy duty vehicles that are conveying limestone and petroleum products to and from the state, and having abandoned the road for a very long time has become impassable for commuters. These roads are federal roads and the intervention by the Federal Government has not been forthcoming.

“It is important that the Federal Government come in and intervene. They should put back the roads even if it has to be with a toll as motorists are ready to part with tokens to enable them have a smooth ride. Some vehicles get damaged in the process and some resort to passing through small villages, so people are really suffering.’’