Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Fed Highway: Cross River Group Accuses FG Of Insincerity, Demands Revocation, Termination Of Contract
By Uket Oka, Calabar
The Cross River South Consultative Forum, has accused the Federal Government of insincerity in the completion of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway.
The forum made the accusation recently at a press conference at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar, Cross River capital.
Addressing journalists, the Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, several months after the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi promised to constitute a tripartite committee comprising leaders of our Forum, staff of the Ministry of Works, and Sermatech, to track the progress of the road project and report directly to him, nothing has been done.
“In response to persistent outcries from stakeholders, the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, in December 2023, during a visit by our Forum to his office, praised and commended our efforts in taking ownership of a Federal Government project within our domain. He used our Forum as an example of patriotism, calling on other citizens across the country to emulate our example.
“He further promised to set up a tripartite committee comprising leaders of our Forum, staff of the Ministry of Works, and Sermatech, to track the progress of the road project and report directly to him. This assurance was warmly received, as we saw it as a step towards ensuring transparency and accountability.
“However, months after this promise, nothing has been done. The Minister has failed to honor his commitment, raising serious questions about the sincerity of the Federal Government in resolving this issue. This pattern of empty promises must end,” Ekpo stated
“You can then imagine our utter consternation when, during his 2024 visit to Calabar for the town hall meeting to flag off the Calabar end of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Engr. Umahi brazenly accused the Forum of being sponsored to damage the reputation of Sermatech. This is a truly baffling accusation. How can one damage what never existed?” he further queried.
He lamented that the appalling state of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway has remained a source of untold hardship to the people of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The Chairman said contractors handling different sections of the road, including Julius Berger and Sermatech, must take responsibility for their roles in the current state of affairs.
“While Julius Berger has a reputation for quality road construction, its pace on the Odukpani -Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway has been disappointingly slow and they have abandoned site for more than a year now.
“Similarly, Sermatech, which was contracted for some portions of the road, must be held accountable for delays and subpar work. General opinion on the state of work, particularly on the concrete pavements constructed by Sermatech, is that apart from the slow pace of work, the pavements lack depth and are riddled with honeycombs and vibrations. It won’t stand the test of time. We call on Sermatech to revisit and possibly rectify this immediately.
He stressed that the groups stance and advocacy on the construction of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway is borne out of pure patriotism, as earlier noted by the Honourable Minister himself when we visited him in Abuja in December 2023.
“We hold no ill feelings towards the construction companies handling the road. All we demand is quality work and absence of delays, because our people are truly suffering,” Ekpo noted.
He explained that the group is demanding urgent and full-scale rehabilitation of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway, honouring the promise of the tripartite committee by the Works Minister, accountability for contractors as well as a clear and transparent timeline and termination and/or revocation of the contract with Julius Berger and re-award of same to a company willing to continue construction.
Ekpo expressed appreciation to the governor of Cross River, Prince Bassey Otu, for paying off all outstanding compensations and securing the permit from the National Inland Waterways Authority to enable Julius Berger construct some of the outstanding bridges.
He noted that ye proactive intervention by the governor was a demonstration of true leadership and commitment to the welfare of the people.
