Concerned stakeholders under the aegis of the Cross River South Consultation Forum (CRSCF) have described the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene Federal Highway as a national embarrassment, as they accused the federal government of refusing to honour the promise of the tripartite committee on the intervention on the road, which they claim has been in a deplorable state for decades.
The group also called for immediate action and intervention to end the untold hardship on the people of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, as it posed grave danger to motorists, commuters and businesses.
CRSCF however demanded for the termination or revocation of the contract with Julius Berger and re-award of same to a company willing to continue construction.
The group made the accusation and the demands on Friday, February 7, 2025, in a statement signed by the Chairman, Eyo Ekpo; Secretary, Sir Maurice Efiwatt; and 12 others during a press briefing at the NUJ Hall of Fame, Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar.
CRSCF wondered why the Minister of Works, David Umahi, could not keep to his promise since December 2023 when the group visited him in his office in Abuja and he set up a tripartite committee to track the process of the road project.
The group further accused, “The Minister has failed to honour his commitment, raising serious questions about the sincerity of the Federal Government in resolving this issue. This pattern of empty promises must end.
“You can then imagine our utter consternation when, during his 2024 visit to Calabar for the town hall meeting to flag off the Calabar end of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi brazenly accused the Forum of being sponsored to damage the reputation of Sermatech. This is a truly baffling accusation. How can one damage what never existed?”
They however demanded for urgent and full-scale rehabilitation of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway, adding that Federal Government must prioritise the road and take immediate steps to ensure its completion.
They also called for accountability of Julius Berger and Sermatech contractors, stating that they must provide clear explanations for the delays and take urgent steps to accelerate the job.
“Honouring the promise of the tripartite committee – Dave Umahi must fulfil his commitment to constituting the committee, allowing stakeholders to track progress and ensure accountability.
“Termination and/or revocation of the contract with Julius Berger and re-award of same to a company willing to continue construction.
“The Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF) stands firm in its demand for action. The people of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states have suffered enough. We will not relent until this road is fixed,” the group maintained.