By Patrick Albert
If you want to have a feel of how the second year anniversary of Akwa Ibom Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel will elicit joy across the length and breadth of the State, please visit Atan Offot community in Uyo.
Atan Offot indigenes and residents alike are in a state of frenzy, counting days for the commissioning of the 6.1 kilometres of road network in the community, initiated by the Gov Emmanuel’s administration.
The road network, expected to be commissioned next month as part of projects listed to mark the eventful two years of Gov Emmanuel, will not only alleviate Atan Offot from its hitherto near inaccessibility and rural outlook, but breath life into the thickly populated community.
The design of the 6.1km road network was well conceived to be impactful. The network links from Aka -Etinan Road by Idakeyop into Atan junction up to Jonathan Boulevard, near the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Another linkage is from Jonathan Boulevard near Mbierebe Junction into the heart of Atan, proceeding across section 11 of Ring Road 2, up to Abak Road, opposite Mechanic Village, with further stretches to the Back Gate of State Secretariat and IBB Way, Uyo by the sub-station of PHCN.
Some institutions along the routes being constructed are the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nobles International Secondary School, and the permanent secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), now under construction.
As an indication of the joyful mode of the people, the sight of Mr. Ephraim Inyang-eyen, Commissioner for Works, on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, who visited the area to inspect the on-going construction, ignited instant thumbs-up to Gov Emmanuel.
The people gathered in clusters to discuss the finishing stages of the 6.1 km road network which is handled by Nigturks Civil Technologies Limited (NCT).
Youths shouted "Up Udom! Udom is right! Udom is a correct man! Udom till 2023"
The road contact was awarded on December 4, 2015 barely six months after Gov Emmanuel came to power.
The gesture ended years of apparent neglect of the community in award of road construction by previous administrations, despite its being situated within the hub of the Uyo city.
Earth-shaking construction equipments are currently being deployed by the construction firm on the affected routes to level and compact for stonebase and asphalt.
One of the officials of the construction firm, Engr. Chris Nwoko Uzoma, who spoke on the scope of work, assured that it will be delivered as expected.
"We know the interest of the government to deliver the job by May, and we are working to achieve it, " Engr. Uzoma stated.
A community leader in the area, Chief Ene Jackson Emah said the people of Atan Offot are very grateful to the governor.
"We see Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as being God sent to bless and redeem us from backwardness." Chief Emah stated emphatically.
He appealed to the governor to also consider providing street lights on the routes to serve as security measure in the area.
No comments: