24 June 2019
The decision by the Cross River State Government to dualise the Calabar-Odukpani highway have been described by many Nigerians as a welcome development that will reduce the travel time to the state capital, reduce risks on the road, expand the fortunes and increase business activities in Nigeria's tourism city, Calabar.
The Calabar-Odukpani highway is the only land entry to the city of Calabar, hence, the most used by visitors coming in and going out of the state capital, Calabar.
Year in year out, the section of the road had remained deplorable with many deaths recorded, occasioned by the narrow route entry into the state and heavy vehicular movements plying the road daily.
Although the road is a federal highway, some palliative work has been done by the federal government to remedy some failed portion of the road to ease movements within and outside Calabar. However, this very portion of the road had previously been locked for days and most times for several hours, preventing motorists and commuters from having access to the state and those going out.
In Ayade's decision to expand the road and enhance free flow of traffic to the city of Calabar, he embarked on the dualisation of the road, by adding two lanes, one each on both sides of the road to accommodate more vehicular movements.
With this initiative, SERMATECH construction company was mobilised and deployed to site to oversee this assignment. Towards the end of 2018, Nigerians coming into the city saw massive construction equipment and ongoing work by SERMATECH at the portion of the road.
From the Tinapa junction in Calabar to the Federal Government Housing Estate in Odukpani, appreciative work has begun and more efforts is needed to get this road dualised completely.
But, there seems to be a slow down on the project, this may not be unconnected with the heavy rains around the corner or paucity of funds. Sadly, the portion of the road by Scanobo filling station is almost impassable, due to the erosion threat occasioned by heavy rains.
While commending the efforts of Gov. Ben Ayade in this direction, i wish to appeal that he direct the contractor, SERMATECH, back to site to continue their work. Concerted efforts should be marshalled out for the timely completion of this project. Along the highway, there is much raw materials that can hasten the quick completion of this road.
If this road is completely dualised, more residents in Calabar will relocate back to Odukpani to seek accommodation there. The Federal Government Estate along the Odukpani highway will also be occupied by workers who are paying exorbitant amount for accommodation in Calabar. More interestingly, accidents on this highway and travel hours will equally be reduced to safe more lives.
More so, plot owners along the pamol axis of the road will also have reasons to develop their plots into living houses, thereby expanding and promoting the area to residency.
If before the end of 2023, Gov. Ayade is able to complete this road, he would have achieved a major project that will stand the taste of time forever.
Crossriverians and visitors coming into the city of Calabar will always remember him for the project and by so doing, he would have left a legacy and impact that will reign for centuries.
Dear Governor, please take this project seriously, for part of the state's development and growth largely depends on good road network.
George Odok Jnr.
Correspondent, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
