Ifa-Ikot Akpabio monarch laments erosion menace

Residents of Ifa Ikot Akpabio in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have called on the state government and other flood mitigation agencies to come to their aid as hundreds of indigenes have been trapped, forcing socio-economic activities to a standstill.

Speaking to Nigerian Tribune, a local farmer, Effiong Inyang lamented “The just-ended rainy season has brought untold hardship to all villages and communities in Ifa Ikot Akpabio, crippling businesses, including agriculture and other petty transactions which the community dwellers rely on as their major means of livelihood.

“Ifa lkot Akpabio community is noted for its thriving socio-economic activities in the Uyo capital city, but now, it is like a ghost town during the rainy season and is yet to return to normal because of the deplorable state of the major link road into the settlement which cuts off residents from other areas in the locality.”

Worried by the adverse effects of the damaged road on economic growth and to residents’ well-being, a community leader, Chief John Bassey, who is also the family head of Ikot Osong, lamented that “the affected Ifa Ikot Akpabio road which is off the major Oron-Airport dual carriage way currently under expansion by the state government, is the only access route which goods and services are usually brought into the village and also to several other communities situated beyond it. And when it was not destroyed by erosion and heavy duty trucks, development of the hinterland was rapid, but today it is a reversal of fortune due to bad roads.

“When it was in a good state even in rainy seasons residents did not suffer untold hardship in finding their ways in and out of the community.

“During the last rainy season, it was a terrible condition for residents to carry out their economic activities, as the road was completely impassable, and it is still in the same state though sun has dried up some stagnant waters in some spots.”

He further explained that all attempts to repair the road by the villagers had been wasted efforts because the challenge faced was beyond the capacity of the community.

The traditional ruler, therefore, called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that constructed the road or the Akwa Ibom State Government Road Maintenance Agency to take advantage of the present dry season to urgently rescue the community before the next rainy season starts.

Chief Bassey pleaded that if such intervention is prompt, it would be to the interest of residents, especially to make them enjoy a new lease of life this festive season despite long suffering.

According to the monarch, “through self-help efforts, a few achievements have been recorded by the village council but there is need for the state government to pay attention in developing the area in terms of roads, electricity, potable water and other social amenities.