Flood, filth threaten multi-billion naira road in A’Ibom

    Uyo Nung Udoe Road

The Uyo Nung Udoe Road, which was inaugurated by former President Goodluck Jonathan on June 25, 2012, faces collapse as some sections of the road have been flooded owing to lack of maintenance.

The multi-billion naira road, which was described during its inauguration as uncompromised architectural designs and finish, with brightest street lights, was constructed by a former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio.

A resident of Nung Oku, Mr. Okon Etuk, told our correspondent that some sections of the edifice, which cost had not been disclosed by the previous administration in the state, was failing.

He stated that for more than a year, the road had not been swept, adding that whenever it rained, the water usually washed the filths that covered little holes which let water into the gutter.

He explained that as most of the holes had been blocked, they prevented the water from passing through them into the gutter, and this, he said, resulted in flooding of the road.

According to Etuk, the sides of the road have been eaten up by flood.

He noted that the road was not 100 per cent completed as the sand was not properly filled at the back of the gutter.

He said, “Parts of this road are now covered by flood, especially the area near Obot Idim, and when coming from Nung Udoe, it is by the right; this portion is hugely covered by sand. This is a danger to motorists and drivers, particularly at night when the street light is switched off.

“Unlike the time the road was inaugurated when the street lights worked till 7am, they are now switched off between 11.30pm and 12am. Most street lights in Uyo are currently switched off at this time; the town then becomes horribly dark.”

He revealed that most of the bulbs had been dead for more than seven or eight months.

Another resident, Ms Ekaette John, stated that besides the faulty street lighting and flooding, her own area of Nung Oku, Atai Nung Oku had not had power supply for the past four and half months.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, said the road maintenance was one of the riot acts the governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, read to the local government in the state.

He said that some councils had complied while the others had yet to comply. He noted that it was the responsibility of the local government areas to sweep roads.

“The government is working on all these things now. We will draw relevant departments to all the issues that have been raised,” he said.