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| Ben Ayade |
In a state signed by the state chairman, Comr. Paul Ajie and Public Relations Officer, Ogar Emmanuel Oko, the group expressed dismay at the deplorable state of Cross River roads, calling on the state government to emulate the Ebonyi State on road construction
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PRESS RELEASE ON THE 30 DAYS ULTIMATUM ISSUED TO THE CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNMENT TO FIX THE VERY BAD ROADS IN THE STATE BY NIGER DELTA ACTIVISTS FORUM (NDAF)
Gentle men of the press,the State Executive Committee of the Niger Delta Activists Forum (NDAF) after due consultations with others sister groups, affiliates bodies, stakeholders and security Agencies concerning recent happenings in the state with particular reference to the despicable and deplorable state of roads across the state hereby issue this release.
Recall that the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. (Sir) Benedict Ayade fortnight ago allegedly said in his address during the courtesy visit paid on him by the Honorable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Godswill Akpabio that the state(CRS) did not need road(s) but food/farming (rice)which can generates employment for it citizens. He supported his statement by saying that good roads give room for criminals to operate.
Our council, members nay Cross Riverians are disturbed by the Governor's statement. That infamous statement has confirmed to us his disdain and lack of interest towards road infrastructure in the state. It is on record that about six months ago, the Governor told the public that roads construction or repair was being delayed due to high volume rain and that rapid and massive works would commence as soon as dry season begins.
NDAF is worried that he has not kept to his words since dry season began. To that end, NDAF has identified some few roads amongst many that deserve immediate priority attention across the state with no particular order of preference. These roads account for the numerous accidents that happen on daily basis resulting lose of lives and properties.
IDENTIFIED ROADS
1. CALABAR MUNICIPALITY
(a) Ikot Ishie Market road aka Deep Sea Port
(b)Parliamentry road and Extention
(c) Goodluck Jonathan bypass,
(d) Ikot nakanda road
(e) Ikot Ene road and
(f) Ikot Nya/ Eneyo road.
2. CALABAR SOUTH
(a) Ekeng Abia street off Ekeng Ita
(b) Ekor street off Jebs and
(c) Eta Agbor by MTN.
3. OBANLIKU
(a) Ketting Sankwala road
(b) Abasang Shipache road.
4. BOKI
(a) Orimekpang/Obudu road
(b) Oku Borum Njua road.
5. OBUBRA
(a) Ogurude Ohenna road
(b) Ofumbongha Ofanatam road.
6. YALA
(a) Okuku/Okpoma road
(b) Mfom road,
(c) Ijiraga road,
(d) Okuku/Ijegu/Woda road,
(e) Aliforkpa/Akreha road and
(f) Imaje /Echumofana road.
7. OGOJA
(a) Mbube East/ Otugwang road
(b) Ibil/Igodor road,
(c) Imerakom/Akaikem gully and
(d) Old bank road
(e)Ndok Junction/Mbube Road
8. BEKWARA
(a) Begang road,
(b) Ibiaragidi/Iyi road,
(c) Ububa-iye road,
(d) Ukparibu,
(e) Afrike/Uchegbe road,
(f) Afrike Okpeche and Ukpah Udama road.
9. IKOM
(a) Yala-Nkum road,
(b) Bendege/Afi road,
(c) Belep-opu road
10. YAKURR
(a) Ugep/ Usumutong road,
(b) Nkpani Agoi road,
(c) Assiga Inyima road,
(d) Ugep Ege road.
11. ETUNG
(a) Bendege Ekiem road,
(b) Effraya road,
(c) Abia Agbokim waterfall road,
(d) Etomi Agborkim road,
(e) Ajasor Okorobah road
(f) Okuri Ekang road.
12. BIASE
(a) Abini Agwakwane road,
(b) Adim Agwagune road and
(c) Erei /Nwane road.
13. AKAMKPA
(a)Nsan/Oban-Ekang road,
(b) Old Netim-okomita road,
(c) Isong Inyang road.
14. ODUKPANI
(a) Ito - ukwa road
(b) Atan Onoyom - Ito road.
15. BAKASSI
(a) Efut Esighi road
(b) Shell road and
(c) Ikang road.
In the light of the above, NDAF calls on the government of Cross River State to emulate the government of Ebonyi State on the construction and rehabilitation of roads and stop complaining of poor federal allocation.
Surprisingly, the two states receive almost the same amount of federal allocation monthly due to the monthly deductions and Cross River State has higher Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N6,731,425,493.77 against Ebonyi State with N5,140,599,994.92 as at January to June 2019 according to National Bureau of Statistic.
By this release, NDAF hereby give a 30-day ultimatum to the government of Cross River State to commence immediate reconstruction and palliative works on the enumerated roads and others not mentioned across the state within this time frame beginning from today being 28 January, 2020 or contend the simultaneous 7 days state wide protest by our members across the 18 LGAs, civil society groups, market women, political parties and others interest groups after the ultimatum elapse.the protest is expected to spand between 28th February 29th, 2nd,3rd,4th,5th,6th of March 2020.
We want to also use this medium to call on the Governor to collaborate with Security Agencies to end the frequent communal clashes in the Eburutu clan of Odukpani LGA, the Usumutong, Ebijakara, Ebom crisis as well as other carrying areas in the state.
Let me thank all of you gentle men of the press for your continuous support and partnership in our various struggles,you are indeed the drivers of our messages.
We must not forget to very specially thank the State Director, Department of State Service (DSS) Cross River State Command for effort he made to have us interface with the Governor to address most of these concerns by Cross Riverians which did not come to pass.
To the Commissioner of Police Cross River State Command and The Brigade Commander,13 Brigade Nigerian Army Calabar we say a big thank you for your Fatherly and Patriotic Guidance,we highly commend these officers for their high level commitment and Dedication to state, Nation building and peace in the society.
Finally, we call on all citizens of Cross River State and indeed those doing business in the state to join hands for the good of the COMMON MAN.When we come together we can always achieve.
We thank You all for coming.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Long Live Cross River State
Long Live Niger Delta Activists Forum.
God Bless You All.
Aluta continua!
Victoria acerta!
Comr (Hon) Paul Ajie
(NDAF State Chairman)
Comr. (Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
(NDAF State PRO)
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