The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure the commencement of the construction of Section V of the East-West Road to link Oron, Akwa Ibom State, and Odukpani Calabar in Cross River State.
This followed the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Commence the Construction of Section V of the East-West Road to Link Oron, Akwa Ibom State, and Odukpani Calabar in Cross River State,” sponsored by Hon. Bassey Akiba, Hon. Mike Etaba, Hon. Alex Egbona, Hon. Joseph Bassey, Hon. Emil Inyang, Hon. Victor Abang, and Hon. Peter Akpa, respectively.
The House mandated the Committees on Works and Appropriations to make provision for the construction of the road to link Oron, Akwa Ibom State, and Odukpani Calabar, Cross River State, in the 2024 budget estimate.
According to the lawmakers, “the House notes that the East-West Road, a 388-kilometre Federal Trunk A2 dual carriageway, connects the Niger-Delta states and the Ikom Federal Trunk A4 road. Initially designed with 42 bridges and 1000 culverts, it was awarded N246 billion in 2006.
The House also notes that the road is divided into five sections: Warri-Kaiama in Delta/Bayelsa State, Port Harcourt-Ahoada-Kaiama in Rivers/Bayelsa State, Eleme-Onne-Ete in Rivers/Akwa Ibom State, and Ikot Abasi-Eket–Oron Road in Akwa Ibom/Cross River State.
They said sections I to IV of the road have reached 85 per cent completion, with the Federal Government releasing funds for a new bypass and other works.
This, they said, had increased the contract sum from N246 billion to N506 billion, with over 80% of the funds already released.
The House was concerned that the construction of Section IV of the 30-kilometer dual carriageway from Oron to Calabar is still ongoing, despite contract awards from the federal government.
They said that the road, which links Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, is in poor condition, with potholes causing numerous losses and forcing commuters to travel by sea.
They said the construction of Section V of the East-West Road is expected to address Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit and enhance economic stability by facilitating the movement of goods.
The House added that the construction of a new East-West Road section is expected to alleviate the current six-hour journey time, which has significantly increased transportation costs in the region.
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