Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh on Wednesday flagged off the 23kilometre Ikom Etomi-Agbokim Road in Ikom, Ikom local government area of Cross River State.
The multi-billion Naira road project is the initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
In his remarks at the flag-off ceremony, Senator Enoh commended President Bola Tinubu for according priority to the state in his infrastructure strides.
“Tinubu’s leadership has shown us favour, the president has negotiated and began Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. President Tinubu is associated with big dreams,” the minister said.
He also poured encomiums on the NDDC, thanking the Commission “for making a difference.”
While branding the road project as a ‘Redemption Project,’ Enoh said, “Sometimes it looks as if there is a jinx about this road. I used to lose my mind each time I go to sleep. I cannot compromise the interest of my people. It’s the reason I go extra mile to satisfy my people.”
For his part, the state Director of the NDDC, Dr. Ajuwa Daniel in his remarks at the event, urged the two contractors handling the project – Faith Plant Services and Rhema Vision, to execute the it according to specifications.
He charged stakeholders of the three communities of Ikom, Etomi and Agbokim to own the road project, urging them to protect the equipment at the construction site from vandalisation by hoodlums.
He stressed that the construction of the road project has become neccesary as it will facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce like cocoa from the hinterland to the urban centre where there is good market that will prepare them for export.
While soliciting the support and understanding of community leaders and youth for the success of the project, Ajuwa warned, “If the contractors come to my office to report that the traditional rulers or youths are seeking for money, we will terminate the road project and give it out to other communities who had being looking for this kind of project.
“Youths should secure the equipment. If you have food, please cook and give to the contractors so that they can finish the project on time.
“Traditional rulers and community youths have roles to play. Community residents who wish to reach out to the contractor and government should engage the Community Liaison officers (CLO).
“We must have this road within one year. If the contractors finish in time, I will sign their payment. I will take it to the Executive Director in Port Harcourt.
Also speaking, one of the community youth leaders, Anthony Attah alleged that about N4.2billion approved and released by the NDDC some years ago for the project was diverted.
“We cannot forget in a hurry how about 4.2bn approved and released by the NDDC some years ago was criminally diverted by the management of Jameon Nigeria Ltd with the full cooperation of local collaborators parading as leaders.
“This time around we are going to deliberately follow the execution of the road contract to the later,” Attah maintained.
