The Cross River State Government has presented an extensive account of its infrastructure achievements over the last three years, highlighting more than 200 road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance projects executed across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The disclosure was made during a sectoral media briefing organised by the Forum of Special Advisers to Governor Bassey Edet Otu as part of activities commemorating the administration’s third anniversary in office.
Speaking at the briefing, Chairman of the Forum and Special Adviser on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, said the exercise was aimed at providing Cross Riverians with accurate information on projects undertaken by the administration and addressing concerns raised by critics.
According to Akiba, several completed projects have received little public attention because they were delivered and put into use without elaborate commissioning ceremonies.
“We are here to provide an accurate account of the achievements recorded under the People First administration and keep citizens informed about the progress being made across the state,” he stated.
Presenting the administration’s infrastructure scorecard, the Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Raphael Adoga, disclosed that the government has completed, initiated, or awarded road projects covering approximately 426 kilometres across the Southern, Central, and Northern Senatorial Districts.
In the Southern Senatorial District, he highlighted rehabilitation works on major roads in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South, including Murtala Mohammed Highway, Parliamentary Extension Road, UCTH Road, Jonathan Bypass, and several internal roads serving residential communities and security formations.
He also listed key projects in Odukpani, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, and Bakassi Local Government Areas, including the Adiabo-Eseku Road, Uyanga-Opuma-Eko Road, Okurikang-Obot-Oko-Okoyong Road, and various community access roads.
For the Central Senatorial District, Adoga identified major projects in Yakurr, Ikom, Obubra, and Etung Local Government Areas, including the Mkpani-Agbo Road, Boki East-West Road, Ikom urban roads, Okon-Bokon Road, and several road networks within Ugep and neighbouring communities.
In the Northern Senatorial District, he cited infrastructure interventions in Ogoja, Obanliku, Yala, and Bekwarra Local Government Areas, including the Obanliku road network, Bayaga-Kating Road, Sankwala-Kubong Road, and a number of urban roads within Ogoja metropolis.
He explained that while many projects have already been completed and opened for public use, others remain at different stages of execution.
Responding to public concerns regarding the Yache-Wanakom Bridge project in Yala Local Government Area, Adoga dismissed claims that the project had been abandoned. He explained that construction was temporarily suspended following technical recommendations requiring additional engineering modifications.
According to him, experts discovered that piling had not been included in the original design despite the strong river current, prompting the government to approve a variation to guarantee the long-term durability and safety of the bridge.
“The project was not abandoned. The redesign was approved to accommodate critical engineering requirements necessary for the bridge’s stability,” he said.
He added that substantial work had already been completed on the connecting road and that construction would resume fully upon completion of the additional engineering processes.
Beyond road infrastructure, the government highlighted ongoing investments in public facilities, including the renovation of the State Library Complex, the Local Government Service Commission Headquarters, legislative residences, and the Governor’s Office.
Adoga further disclosed that work on the Obudu International Cargo Airport was progressing steadily, with critical navigational equipment already installed and final structural components nearing completion.
He maintained that the administration’s infrastructure agenda is focused on enhancing connectivity, stimulating economic growth, and improving access to communities across the state.
The briefing formed part of activities marking Governor Bassey Otu’s third year in office and provided a comprehensive overview of projects delivered under the administration’s development agenda.
