A’IBOM: APC queries Gov Emmanuel over abandoned Eket, Oron roads

THE state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called out Governor Udom Emmanuel over the abandoned road projects in Eket and Oron.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Nkereuwem Enyongekere, yesterday, the opposition party in the state said Emmanuel is treating Eket people with so much disdain and humiliation.

According to the party, the governor, despite being an indigene of the senatorial district, has neglected infrastructural development in the two important towns.

The APC, however, advised the governor to take full responsibility for the deplorable conditions of roads in Eket and Oron.

Read full statement below:

We just do not understand why Gov Udom Emmanuel is treating Eket people with so much disdain and humiliation. In fact, Eket and Oron are the two major towns in the state that are in dire need of facelifts. It was widely expected that since the governor is from that senatorial district, he would pay special attention to infrastructural development in the two important towns.

Instead of remodeling Eket town as he promised, the governor has resorted to giving all sort of flimsy excuses. First, he blamed the neglect on the death of the chief executive of the construction company he reportedly engaged to remodel Eket. When that sounded too ridiculous, the governor announced that COVID-19 was responsible for the abandonment of Eket roads.

Just last week, in answer to a questions at a press conference, the governor said the road contracts were awarded to some Eket elders who are PDP chieftains, and that the elders have collected money and abandoned the roads. In a quick response, Chief Ndueso Essien, one of the prominent Eket elders and PDP chieftains who benefitted from the contract awards, disagreed with the governor openly. In a statement issued by his company, Kefam Nigeria Limited, Chief Essien said that the elders have fulfilled their own side of the bargain, and should not be blamed for the abandonment of Eket roads. He even stated that his company is even being owed for some of the jobs it has done.

We in Akwa Ibom State Chapter of APC are mortified that our governor has once again manufactured another excuse for his inability to remodel Eket township. Blaming Eket leaders for abandoning Eket roads has thrown up a few posers: Are these elders registered contractors with adequate equipment and cognate experience? Do they have the right expertise in road construction? We believe that these contracts are another ‘’empowerment’’ scheme for PDP chieftains who do not have any track records in road construction.

Mr Udom Emmanuel should take full responsibility for the deplorable conditions of roads in Eket and Oron. Enough of his excuses! Posterity will never be kind to Gov. Udom if he leaves Eket and Oron in this sorrowful state in 2023.