Pius Ankpo, Cross River State Commissioner for Works, says approval has been given by the CRS Executive Council, for the construction of the Adiabo-Ikoneto bridge, initiated in the 90s, during the military era but abandoned by successive federal governments.
The bridge, when completed, he added, would serve as a better alternative to the Calabar-Odukpani Junction-Itu federal highway, as an easier route into and out of Calabar to Akwa Ibom.
Ankpo who spoke, shortly after Wednesday’s, April 24, 2024, Exco meeting, further stated that, approval was also for granted for the state government to pay compensation for right of way, at the ongoing construction work along Ikot-Nyong to Itu bridge federal highway. While confirming the commencement of compensation payments for the project, he came clear that those who hurriedly erected various structures, in order to make claims, should not expect anything; declaring that whatever compensation is to be paid, would be made to those with ancestral structures, and what would be paid would be a fraction, while the balance would be the contribution of the landlord communities and owners to the road development.
Earlier, the Cross River State Executive Council granted approvals for development initiatives, including infrastructural interventions and construction of some key roads in the three senatorial districts of the state.
Presided over by the state governor, Bassey Otu, the governor also used the Exco meeting to inform his team that while public opinion about the performance, so far, of his administration was positive, his commissioners and other members of the state executive council must re-double their efforts to ensure sustainable benefits reach the people.
In the Northern Senatorial District of the state, minutes from the meeting show that Ogoja and Yala local government areas would receive repairs to their network of roads. The Ukelle road, Akreha bridge, and the Yache-Alifokpa road, would cover for the North, while in the Central Senatorial District, Yakurr and Ikom LGAs have been earmarked for massive road interventions.
