Cross River Govt To Prioritise Road Infrastructure – Commissioner

Cross River State commissioner for Works, Engr Ankpo Edet, has said that the Governor Bassey Out-led administration would give priority to the development of road infrastructure despite the state’s lean resources.

The commissioner made the assertion yesterday in Calabar shortly after inspecting ongoing road rehabilitation and construction projects within the state capital.

The commissioner stated that the present administration under Governor Otu is poised to fix road infrastructure notwithstanding the meagre financial resources of the state stressing that with good roads, the administration stands the chance of wooing different investors to come and do business in the state.

“The government recognises the fact that infrastructure is vital for economic growth and improving the quality of life of our citizens.

“We are making prudent use of the resources at our disposal to deliver impactful projects,” he said, stressing that ongoing road projects that cut across the three senatorial districts of the state reflect Otu’s commitment to fostering sustainable development.

The commissioner maintained that Otu’s strategy of employing direct labour for certain road projects is aimed at promoting local content, optimising resource management and reducing capital flight.

He enumerated road projects completed through the direct labour approach to include 30-metre Yellow Duke Bridge, MCC Road, Odukpani Junction, Satellite Town, and a 400-metre stretch of Edem Ekpenyong Street by Otop Abasi Road, among others.

The commissioner stated that the administration would continue to adopt a direct labour approach to increase the number of roads constructed by the present administration across the state, assuring that the government would remain dedicated to completing vital projects in the state.