CALABAR — The Cross River State Government has defended its infrastructure performance over the past three years, unveiling an extensive list of road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects across the state’s three senatorial districts as part of activities marking Governor Bassey Otu’s third year in office.
The projects were presented on Monday during a sectoral media briefing by the Forum of Special Advisers to the Governor, where officials said the administration’s infrastructure interventions span hundreds of kilometres of roads, bridges and public facilities across the state.
Chairman of the Forum and Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, said the briefing was intended to provide residents with factual information on projects executed under the administration and address criticisms from political opponents.
According to him, many of the government’s achievements have not received adequate public attention because several projects were completed and put to use without elaborate commissioning ceremonies.
“We are here to put the records straight and update Cross Riverians on the numerous milestones achieved under the People’s First administration,” Akiba said.
Presenting the infrastructure scorecard, Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Raphael Adoga, listed dozens of 426km completed, ongoing and newly awarded road projects spread across the Southern, Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.
In the Southern Senatorial District, he said the administration undertook rehabilitation works on major roads within Calabar Municipality and Calabar South, including the Murtala Mohammed Highway, Parliamentary Extension Road, UCTH Road, Jonathan Bypass and several internal roads within security formations and residential communities.
He also highlighted the construction and rehabilitation of roads in Odukpani, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo and Bakassi local government areas, including the Adiabo-Eseku Road, Uyanga-Opuma-Eko Road, Okurikang-Obot-Oko-Okoyong Road and several community link roads.
In the Central Senatorial District, Adoga listed projects in Yakurr, Ikom, Obubra and Etung local government areas, including the Mkpani-Agbo Road, Boki East-West Road, Ikom urban roads, Okon-Bokon Road and several road networks within Ugep and surrounding communities.
For the Northern Senatorial District, he said the administration executed projects in Ogoja, Obanliku, Yala and Bekwarra local government areas, including the Obanliku road network, Bayaga-Kating Road, Sankwala-Kubong Road and several urban roads within Ogoja metropolis.
The adviser further disclosed that several completed projects have already been handed over for public use, while others remain at various stages of execution.
Addressing concerns surrounding the controversial Yache-Wanakom Bridge project in Yala Local Government Area, Adoga dismissed allegations that work had stalled, explaining that the project was temporarily suspended to accommodate additional engineering specifications.
He said technical assessments revealed that piling was omitted from the original design despite the river’s strong current, prompting the government to approve a variation to ensure the bridge’s long-term stability.
“The project was not abandoned. The governor approved a redesign after experts advised that piling was necessary to protect the structure from future damage,” he said.
According to him, substantial work had already been completed on the adjoining road while construction would continue once the additional engineering works are concluded.
Beyond roads, the government highlighted ongoing investments in public infrastructure, including the renovation of the State Library Complex, the Local Government Service Commission headquarters, legislative residences and the Governor’s Office.
Adoga also disclosed that work was progressing on the Obudu International Cargo Airport, noting that critical navigational equipment had already been installed while final structural works were nearing completion.
He maintained that the administration’s infrastructure programme was designed to improve connectivity, stimulate economic activities and expand access to communities across the state.
The briefing forms part of the government’s efforts to showcase achievements recorded under Governor Otu’s administration as it marks its third anniversary in office.
