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| L-R : Gov Ben Ayade, Arc Eric Akpo and Dr Obasesam Okoi |
Efio-Ita Nyok|24 November 2017
Wednesday 22 November 2017 Canadian-based academic and politician, Mr Obasesam Okoi made a thread on his social media (Facebook) timeline titled, ‘How Africans Underdevelop Africa’ where he talked about life expectancy in Nigeria. In the said thread, Okoi informed that the life expectancy for a Nigerian is 53 years. For him, there are stressors responsible for this. But, importantly, collapsed social infrastructure is responsible. He highlighted —poor governance, poor health, poor education, unemployment and frustration arising from the collapse of social infrastructure as being these stressors.
For Okoi, one of the causes of reduced life expectancy is deplorable road infrastructure. He particularly made reference to the 275.3 km superhighway stretching from Bakassi to Kastina-Ala, a pet project of Cross River State Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade, a described it as —’going to no where’. This invoked the reaction of the SA to the Governor on Technical Matters, Arc Eric Akpo, whose brief covers the Superhighway and a conversation ensued between the duo.
For the SA Technical, the Superhighway will be funded like an investment not through government cash. Secondly, there are initiatives by the state government to dualise the Calabar-Akpabuyo federal road. The explanation by Akpo and the counter reaction by Okoi is best read than explained to. Excerpt :
Obasesam Okoi
How Africans Underdevelop Africa
Three weeks ago, I got into a conversation with my friends in the UK on the topic of life expectancy in Nigeria.
Currently, life expectancy in Nigeria is 53 years. Nigeria ranks 214 out of 224 in the 2017 life expectancy index. Which means if you’re 51 years in 2017, there’s a probability that you may die before your 52nd birthday. And if you’re in your 40s, you’re at risk of dying before your 50th birthday due to a number of stressors, including poor governance, poor health, poor education, unemployment and frustration arising from the collapse of social infrastructure…
One of the causes of decreasing life expectancy in Nigeria is our deplorable road conditions that generate stressors. One of the photos, credited to Liyel Imokuede, paints a very disturbing picture of the current situation in Cross River as commuters are forced to walk from Odukpani to Calabar due largely to traffic delay at failed sections of the highway…
In spite of these obvious social contradictions, the Cross River State Government has focussed on building a superhighway leading to nowhere. Our brothers at the NDDC and Niger Delta Ministries have exploited the deplorable condition of this road as a political opportunity to consolidate their support base instead of draw federal attention to the situation in order to increase our life expectancy by at least 5 years.
I wish Buhari could see the suffering through the eyes of the masses in Cross River. He would understand that rehabilitating the Ikom-Calabar highway will be more beneficial to us than rewarding us with appointments which only benefits a few.
Arc Eric Akpo
A good piece though flawed on a very critical point.
Let me see you or any of your relatives on the superhighway when completed and I’ll ask my questions.
But always remember, the superhighway is to be constructed with investors funds as orchestrated by CRSG, while that cannot be done on the federal highway as the FG has refused granting concession for the road to be tolled and thus considered an investment. So the Government is not appropriating some cash in hand for the superhighway, it is rather channeling investors funds to meet a need where possible.
It is no news that the state cannot afford enough money to fix the federal highway.
However moves are on by State Govt to dualize the Calabar- Odukpani stretch of which an agreement has already been reached between State and Federal Govt. Construction begins soon.
Thank you.
Obasesam Okoi
I love the moves. I pray it works.
Obasesam Okoi
At Kingsley Orok: I am not against the superhighway, Am speaking from a policy perspective and the need to prioritize. Secondly, the location of the superhighway is distant from many centers of economic activity in Cross River, such as Ugep, Ikom and Ogoja and their proximity to Aba, Abakailiki and Enugu. Third, it will make transportation very expensive, thereby increasing the price of commodities. Four……many more reasons
Arc Eric Akpo
You’ll agree with me that these places you call centers of economic activities are not in these century befitting of city centers; the concept of the superhighway envisions the development of new cities in tandem with increase in economic activities as a byproduct of the establishment of the deep seaport with the superhighway as it’s evacuation corridor and consequently the development that follows. So you can visualize a superhighway, connected to a new city for Yakurr LGA for instance, which is in turn connected to the old town, so the distance between the superhighway and the old town becomes economically viable and makes for advancement and development.
Brother, there is so much to the superhighway that I believe if well informed, you’ll sacrifice your right eye for its success.
Obasesam Okoi
Arc Eric Akpo: Great explanation there. But what does it take to make Ugep a city? There is ITM. There are good high schools that can be rehabilitated. Duke already built roads all over the town. Imoke has connected the entire communities with rural road networks. What is needed is a market, water supply, electricity, and effective coordination of local transportation systems. The government can create the incentives for better market opportunities. Also, the highway is very expensive and given the current economic climate, it seems unrealistic. Constructing the highway is one thing, linking it to the various economic hubs would require billions of Naira. Where is the money coming from?
Arc Eric Akpo
Problem is, you are not going to demolish the existing old structures to build new ones, Ugep is a place that should compete with a cities like Manitoba or nova Scotia in Canada, and upgrade would require a new city, new location, not necessarily the recycling of the old and somewhat substandard structures in the ancient town.
Your reference to what is needed as a market, water supply, electricity, and effective coordination of local transportation systems is correct and all these would accompany the new cities which by extension would feed the old township centers and in fact, other communities.
Joseph Odok
Arc Eric Akpo, is ITM currently competing with other aforementioned cities? How has the administration that you serve funded the institution?
Arc Eric Akpo
Odok, go there now and there is a total overhaul going on, contractors working aggressively and in no time all facilities would be fully functional in line with master plan. So much funds have been disbursed and very evident!
I was there on inspection accompanied by a consultant some 3wks ago.
Obasesam Okoi
Arc Eric: in addition to those things I mentioned, new housing is key to new city development. Maybe, and just maybe, the government isn’t doing a great job at educating the public. Where such education is in place, I will civilly consult the necessary documents to educate myself. I believe information on social development cannot be classified.
Arc Eric Akpo
Which is why we have a ministry for new cities development sir!
*Editorial
The way Akpo fielded reactions from Okoi, Joseph Odok Esq, etc seems he has a training in public relations. Ultimately, Cross River State —her indigenes and residents, is in dire need for infrastructural development especially in the area of road construction.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NegroidHaven
