By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist Political Desk
Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, has renewed his call on the Federal Government to expedite the reconstruction of the Calabar-Odukpani-Itu highway and address the deplorable conditions of other critical federal roads in Akwa Ibom State and neighbouring states.
Sampson made the appeal during Senate plenary on Wednesday while contributing to a motion sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye of Anambra North, seeking urgent intervention on the deteriorating Ogbaru–Iyiowa–Odekpe–Atani–Ogwuikpele–Ndoni highway, which links communities in Anambra State with parts of the South-South region.
Speaking on the motion, the Akwa Ibom South senator expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the Calabar-Odukpani-Itu highway, describing it as a major economic corridor connecting Akwa Ibom, Cross River and other neighbouring states.
He lamented that the poor condition of the highway had made travelling between the two sister states increasingly difficult and dangerous, resulting in reported fatalities. He stressed that functional road infrastructure was essential to economic growth, regional connectivity, trade and the general wellbeing of Nigerians.
Beyond the Calabar-Itu highway, Sampson called for urgent attention to other major federal roads, including the Ikot Ekpene-Umuahia and Ikot Ekpene-Aba highways, noting the need for comprehensive intervention to address the challenges confronting road users across Akwa Ibom State.
The senator’s appeal comes as the National Assembly intensifies discussions on infrastructure deficiencies and climate-related emergencies. On Tuesday, Sampson also called for urgent intervention to address flooding affecting several communities in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.
In its resolutions on the motion concerning the Anambra-Rivers highway, the Senate urged the Federal Government, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and other relevant agencies to undertake emergency repairs on failed sections of the affected road.
The Senate also called for prioritisation of work on other abandoned federal highways across the country.
Sampson’s intervention reinforces the call for accelerated federal action on critical road infrastructure, particularly routes that facilitate interstate movement, support economic activities and connect communities across the South-South and South-East regions.
