Following the reopening of the Akwa Ibom State portion of the Calabar -Itu highway shut against traffic to ease reconstruction work by the contractors, residents have applauded Governor Umo Eno, for the gesture.
Checks by LEADERSHIP yesterday revealed easy traffic flow as the road blocked at the Nelson Mandela portion of the highway in Itu local government area of Akwa Ibom State had been flung open.
However, residents of Tabernacle Road, Afaha Ube, and other adjoining streets traversing Uyo and Itu LGA expressed high levels of excitement over the ongoing flood intervention project in the area.
They commended Governor Eno, for the ongoing project on a dilapidated road that had previously displaced many households and caused severe hardship on the residents.
It was learnt the work on the 2.2km tabernacle road with a 0.97km underground drainage emptying into the tunnel by the Calabar-Itu highway, was flagged-off by Governor Eno, in response to the yearnings of the local residents.
“Beyond the road construction, the project is a major de-flooding work to reclaim the entire area and on completion, will be a respite for the people of Uyo and Itu,” one of the contractors explained.
Traders, motorists and market women expressed delight that the re-opened Calabar – Itu high way would guarantee ease of doing business.
“It is noteworthy that Governor Eno, in fulfillment of his campaign promise, had last year flagged-off the construction of 1.24km internal roads and rigid pavement trailer park with solar light, ultra-modern toilet, boreholes and overhead tank in Itam market.
“Five months after, the projects have reached advanced stage and the contractor has promised to deliver in record time, we are grateful to the governor for this all important intervention,” Akaninyene Bassey, a local resident noted.
In the same vein, the president of Etaha Itam Market Committee (EIMC), who described the governor as “a promise keeper,” noted that “the internal roads, modern toilets and trailer park, when completed, will completely transform the market” and assured the governor of continuous support beyond 2027.
