Government News Source|11 October 2019
Cross River State Lawmakers have in a resolution called on the State Government to urgently commence the rehabilitation of all roads within the Calabar metropolis NEGROIDHAVEN can say.
The Lawmakers took the resolution following a motion brought before the House by Member representing Boki II State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong.
In his presentation, Bisong lamented the deplorable state of roads within the Calabar metropolis and the State in general stating that “one cannot drive even for a kilometer without meeting deep potholes”.
The Lawmaker who recalled Governor Ayade’s promise of zero potholes, emphasized that his motion was a wakeup call on the relevant Government Agencies to rise up to the challenge of rehabilitating the roads as the situation is negatively affecting the economy of the State.
Also speaking, Member representing Ikom 1 State Constituency and Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Fred Osim, emphasized that the industrialization drive of the State Government will be negatively affected if the roads are not repaired.
On his part, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey expressed dissatisfaction with the road network adding that the road maintenance levy paid by citizens must be investigated to ensure that it is being used judiciously.
For the Member representing Calabar South 1, Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim, a thorough investigation of the 5% deduction from Local Government funds allegedly remitted to the Road Maintenance Agency will be necessary to ascertain accountability of the Agency.
In separate contributions, Members unanimously condemned the poor State of roads across the State which according to them has led to accidents, loss of lives, high maintenance cost for vehicles, and untold hardship for Commuters amongst others.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams in his summary, reiterated the 9th Assembly’s commitment to legislation which will benefit the Citizens. He charged the House Committee on Works and Infrastructure to investigate the activities of all Government Agencies responsible for roads maintenance as well as look at possible ways of ameliorating the situation and report back to the House in two weeks.
