Cross River State government has promised to commence the construction of the 39km Cross River-Benue Border Road in the state to boost economic activities between the state and Benue State.
In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, stated that during an on-the-spot assessment of the 39km border road project abandoned for about two decades now, the state Governor, Bassey Otu, promised to complete the road to boost economic activities and ease vehicular movement.
In a meeting with the Clan Head of Wanokom, Chief Denis Ugede and other chiefs in his palace, Otu said: “Today I decided to drive through all the wards in Ukelle, particularly this Northern flank that borders Benue State to appraise the state of the road with the view to bringing back the economic life of this area.
“This particular road has been a problem to my people and the project is one that is very dear to my heart. So, I decided to come personally for an on-the-spot assessment of its current state to enable us commence construction work as soon as the dry season sets in.
“My aim is to create access roads here to bring back the ever bubbling socio-economic activities in these border communities to better the lot of our people.”
Otu commended the traditional institution for the support accorded his predecessor, Prof. Ben Ayade.
“Let me give you my assurance that we will do all within our ability to raise the standard of living of the people of Ukelle,” the governor assured.
On his part, the Clan Head of Wanokom, Ugede, was full of praises to the governor, asserting that, “the Ukelle nation will now sleep well having gotten such a heartwarming assurance from the government to complete their road after several years of being exposed to untold hardship due to lack of access road to evacuate their farm produce.”
Ugede, who decried the wastage farmers recorded over the years, said: “We are happy that today, God is going to use you to liberate the Ukelle nation from this prolonged suffering and I am happy that this will take place during our life time.”
He reminded the governor of the need to review upward the monthly stipends of traditional rulers as promised during his campaign visit, maintaining that the review would boost their morale in carrying out their traditional roles in the communities.
Former member of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Ogana Lukpata, who spoke on behalf of other stakeholders, disclosed that the people were shocked to see the governor carry out an on-the-spot assessment of roads in the area after over two decades.
