The completion of the Nto Ide- Ikot Amba bridge /road project by Governor Umo Eno in Obot Akara Local Government Area is another fulfilment of his campaign promise to connect the dots by completing existing projects and opening up rural communities to boost economic activities.
This is because rural transformation which is a catalyst for enhanced agricultural production, is a cardinal point of the ARISE Agenda.
This was the position of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso when he led some journalists on a facility tour of the bridge project in Obot Akara.
They were conducted around the bridge measuring 60 meters, 800 meters approach road and the erosion control mechanism put in place to reinforce the durability of the road project.
The people of Obot Akara Local Government Area, at the project site, could not control their emotions as they pledged their resolve to support the Governor throughout his tenure for breathing back life into their communities.
Some students who were returning from school recounted how they used to come out from the water with soaked clothes which they had to squeeze before wearing back to attend classes the same day.
Mercy Udo, a student noted that “sometimes the water will reach us on the waist and we didn’t have money.
Another student confessed that “we were charged N150 and N200 to use canoes to paddle us across to the other side and go to school but today we can now pass freely without having our clothes soaked with water.”
Also speaking Mr. Friday Akpan a family head in Ikot Amba said several lives have been lost in the water and the people had to make use of several make-shift bridges that couldn’t guarantee the safety of people using the route.
Since the collapse during the Civil War era, residents have always lived with the trauma of the poor dilapidated bridge which could serve them no good purpose as they would resort to turning through a longer route to move from one community to another.
Speaking to journalists, the Managing Director Of Senyang Nigeria Limited Mr Itoro Inyang thanked Governor Umo Eno for the confidence in his construction firm.
He said the company received massive support and encouragement from the Governor after the death of the founding MD Engr. Samuel Inyang added that the project has met all acceptable standards and will stand the test of time.“
“The Bridge portion is a 60m span reinforced concrete bridge piled to a depth of 23m.
“It has a 450-ton capacity while the Road portion is 800m long.
“To curb the Erosion challenge in the community, Measures taken include 2 Culverts to channel runoff water, Trapezoidal V-Drains along the full length of the project to remove water from the road surface and protect the same road surface, Stone-pitching on both sides of the road to protect the sides of the raised portion of the road.”
He added that the stone pitching on both ends of the road was made to protect the side of the raised portion of the road.
Speaking also the Governor’s aide Dr. Essien Ndueso said “The governor will stop at nothing in bringing his rural development programs to fruition in Akwa Ibom state.
“Two months ago the Governor was in Obot Akara to flag off an 11.7km road project leading to Usaka Annang which has 2 bridges.
“Once completed next year, people in Usaka will no longer have to travel through neighbouring communities in Abia State before getting to their village.”
