The Cross River State House of Assembly member representing Etung State Constituency, Hon Kingsley Ntui, has decried the absence of a motorable network of roads linking major communities in Etung Local Government Area.
Ntui made his feelings known during plenary on Friday, while presenting a motion calling on the state government to construct a link road from Effraya, the headquarters of Etung Local Government Area through Etomi to Abia and Bendeghe Ekiem communities to facilitate easy access to the local government area headquarters.
Leading the debate on his motion, the lawmaker noted that the absence of internal access roads has compelled his constituents to travel through the lengthy and indirect Ikom Local Government Area route thereby increasing their transportation cost, travel time and risk.
He further lamented that, “the poor state or total absence of accessible roads between these communities has significantly restricted the movement of people and goods, stifled economic activities, and limited access to essential services including healthcare, education and local markets”.
Ntui also emphasised that, “the infrastructural deficiency has led to the isolation of several major communities within the local hovernment headquarters of Etung, discouraging private investment, local enterprise and development initiatives.”
Supporting the motion, other lawmakers maintained that the construction of the proposed roads would greatly improve the economic activities as well as enhance the overall wellbeing of the residents of Etung Local Government Area.
They also urged the state government, through the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, to prioritise and commence the construction of the proposed access roads linking the local government headquarters, Etung, with other major communities in the area.
In his comments, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, bemoaned the absence of link roads in the area and expressed confidence that the state government would implement the House of Assembly’s resolution to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.