Nduese Essien embarrassed by deplorable state of Eket Roads
A former member of the National Assembly and Akwa Ibom state elder statesman, Chief Nduese Essien has decried the deplorable state of township roads in Eket, saying they are mostly unmotorable.
He has acknowledged government effort to open up the hinterland to decongest the city centre, but however called for redoubling of effort to push through the remodeling process in Eket.
Speaking with our correspondent in Uyo on Tuesday, the former Minister whose company was also awarded construction of 13 internal roads in Eket reported to have completed 10, while the remaining three were held by paucity of funds due to Covid-19.
The two-terms House of Representatives member, however expressed optimism that the roads will be completed before the expiration of Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s in 2023, if the governor focused less on who to succeed him and concentrate on governance.
Reacting further to the remodeling of Eket, a contract awarded by the governor, Chief Essien said he was yet to see any remodeling project in Eket.
“I don’t know what Eket remodeling project is all about. Apart from Atabong road, I don’t see any remodeling project anywhere in Eket.”
He however said that Governor Udom Emmanuel has been on cause since his inauguration in 2015, saying more things like the establishment of oil producing communities development commission, completion of Eket Ibeno road with street lights as captured in the original design of the road, completion of Eket Etinan road and other projects in the area need to be done.
Essien used the occasion to call on members of State Assembly to enforce the payment of local government allocation directly to all local government areas as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that whoever that is withholding the local government funds has ulterior motives.
On the 13 % derivation fund meant for the development of oil producing communities, he said that it is only Akwa Ibom State that is yet to set up the commission and urged Gov. Udo Emmanuel, who is from oil producing community to urgently set up the commission.
He said the oil producing communities in the state are underdeveloped as a result of non-implementation of the 13% derivation law passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
Chief Essien also called for a legislation that would enable Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct local government elections in the country for a credible electoral process.
