Stakeholders assure Ikono People of Gov Emmanuel’s commitment to road project completion
Stakeholders from Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, including the Chairman of Fortune Polytechnic, Distinguished Senator Aloysius Etok, and Retired Col. Stanley Bassey have assured their people of Gov Udom Emmanuel’s passion for the completion of the 21.5 kilometers road in Ikono awarded on 12th November 2021.
They also commended Zee Construction company, the firm in charge of the road project for the level of work done in less than two months after flag-off and are optimistic that the company will meet up with the two years interval given for the completion of the project.
The road which has two years duration to be completed would gulp about 6 billion naira and will cut across
Ikot Ayan – Ediene – Ikot Ntia- Aka Ekpeme – Uyo Afaha Nkan – Urua Naira – Obio Ediene – Ikot Umo – Nkwot Ikot Nseyen- Nung Imo – Nung Ukim road with 45m span bridge in Ikono Local Government Area.
Speaking with journalists in Ikono LGA over the weekend, Senator Aloysius Etok pleaded with the people of Ikono to exercise patience and continue to remain grateful to Gov Udom Emmanuel who is passionate about the construction of the road project and will do everything possible to ensure that the project is completed within the two years interval.
According to him, “Ingratitude is not an act of God, hence, we the people of Ikono Local Government Area will never fail to celebrate and acknowledge the efforts made by Gov Udom Emmanuel administration to alleviate our sufferings which in time past, we had made several appeals to the successive government but our pains were not assuaged””.
Similarly, Col. Stanley Bassey rtd. commended Gov Emmanuel for coming to the rescue of the communities after years of hardship.
Bassey said that former Governors of the state have tried to build the road for the general good of the people in the area but could not succeed.
He said that it got to a point that some personalities in the area had to contribute millions of naira to construct alternative roads linking other areas but was not enough.
Bassey said that being the chief security officer of the project, ZEE construction company which the job has been awarded is doing an excellent job, believing that with the move and cooperation by Governor Udom Emmanuel they will deliver the job soon.
“On behalf of the Ikono people, I want to appreciate His Excellency, Gov. Udom Emmanuel for awarding the contract for 21.5 km road construction spanning
many communities and six wards in Ikono Local Government Area.
“It has never been like that, the former Governors tried and failed so, we are appreciative to the governor and we hope it will be completed within the specified time.
He said the area which serves as one of the economic circuits in the state lost its status due to the deplorable road, noting that the one of the largest oil Mill that was mounted in the area by some foreigners was later dismantled because of the condition of the road.
Speaking on the economic importance of the road, Bassey lamented that the farmers found it very difficult to harvest their crops and then take them out for sale in the market.
He noted that the area was blessed with competent personalities who are willing and available to establish companies in the area if the roads are completed.
“”We have important personalities from the area like the Managing Director of Standard Flower Mill, Director of Central Bank, One of Directors of NNPC and some philanthropists even me, I am a Colonel. But we felt very reluctant to build decent houses in the area because of the bad road even if you purchase a truck of cement, it can not get to the area.
“Our forefathers started struggling for it, our fathers struggled for it and it is now our turn. At this point, I want to say that we are so happy to have a person like Governor Udom Emmanuel.
He expressed optimism that the Governor being a sincere person and someone who has the interest of the people in the area at heart is concerned about the completion of the road even though his tenure would elapse.
Speaking with one of the villagers in the area, Mrs. Eno-obong Edem commended Gov Emmanuel for intervening on the road to ease the suffering of the people, praying to God for a financial blessing to ensure that the contractor complete the project.
Also, Mr. Effiong Akpan praised the governor for his love of people particularly in coming to rescue the communities from the deplorable road, praying that it would be completed as envisioned.
