Senate calls on FG to prioritise completion of Odukpani-Itu highway

By Iyojo Ameh

The Nigerian Senate has called upon the Federal Government to prioritise the immediate completion of Odukpani-Itu federal highway to alleviate suffering of people and unlock the economic potential of the region.

This is sequel to adoption of a motion during plenary in Abuja On “Urgent need to investigate slow pace of work on the Odukpani-Itu federal highway in Cross River State.

The motion was sponsored by Sen.Asuquo Ekpeyoung(APC-Cross River ) and co-sponsored by Ekong Sampson.(PDP-Akwa Ibom).

Presenting the motion, Ekpeyoung said that the Odukpani-Itu federal highway was a major highway in Cross River state that connects Calabar, to Itu in Akwa Ibom State.

He said the road was also a major route for transportation, commerce, and social integration within Cross River and the broader south eastern and south- south regions of Nigeria.

According to him, the highway is the primary corridor for facilitation of the transportation of agricultural produce, such as cocoa, palm oil, cassava, and yams, and bananas from rural areas to urban markets

Ekpeyoung said the road also provides access to tourist attractions such as the Obudu mountain resort and the Agbokim waterfalls serves as an evacuation corridor for supply of solid minerals across the South South and South East regions from quarries in Cross River State,.

He said the road was also strategic for the Calabar port which is strategically important as a bulk cargo port for conveying petroleum products to the North Central and North East .

He said the highway had been in a state of disrepair for years, with significant portions uncompleted despite repeated promises and allocations in federal budgets.

He said delay in completing the highway has caused untold hardship to commuters and residents, disrupted economic activities, and increased transportation costs for agricultural produce and other goods;

He said completion of the Odukpani – Itu highway was not only a matter of infrastructure development but also a moral and economic obligation to the people of Cross River state and the Niger Delta region at large.

He believed that completion of repairs on the road directly supports the “renewed hope agenda”of President Bola Tinubu as it would fostering economic growth and improve connectivity.

According to him, the completion will enhance social welfare in Cross River and beyond through job creation, improved market access, and support for small businesses through improved infrastructure.

Senators, who supported the motion included Seriake Dickson(PDP-Bayelsa )and Ekong Sampson(PDP-Akwa Ibom).

Senate consequently in its further resolution on the road mandated t
its committee on works to investigate reasons behind the non-completion of repairs on the Odukpani Itu highway.

It also urged the committee to investigate assess and utilisation of funds allocated for the project over subsequent budget cycles.

Senate also directed the committee to summon relevant agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), and contractors involved in the project, to provide detailed reports on the status of the highway and challenges being encountered.