Tunji Wusu –
The abandoned 39-kilometer Ukelle Road in Yala Local Government Area, which connects the State to Benue, would be finished, according to Cross River Governor Bassey Otu.
During a Saturday assessment visit to the road project that was abandoned nearly twenty years prior, Otu made this statement.
The governor pledged to finish the road project in order to increase economic activity and facilitate vehicular transportation during a meeting with the Clan Head of Wanokom, Chief Denis Ugede, and other chiefs in his palace.
“Today I made the decision to drive through every ward in Ukelle, especially this northern side that borders Benue State, to assess the condition of the roads with the goal of reviving the local economy.
“My people have complained about this specific road, so I made the personal decision to travel here to personally inspect its current condition so that we can start construction as soon as the dry season arrives.
“I want to build this access road in order to revive the constantly burgeoning socioeconomic activities in these border communities and improve the lot of our people,” the author says.
There is already work being done here, and we will ascertain what stage it is at so that we may consider collaborating with the appropriate federal government entities to expedite completion, he said.
The governor claimed that despite their assurances, previous governments had failed to check the route.
However, he made a commitment that his own visit would be the last state government inspection before the road was finished.
He pledged to do everything in his power to improve living conditions for the residents of Ukelle.
After receiving such a wonderful promise from the government, Chief Ugede, who was full of appreciation for the governor, said the people of Ukelle could finally go to sleep.
He lamented the massive food loss that local farmers had experienced over the years and added that God was using the governor to deliver the people of Ukelle from ongoing hardship.
God is using you to liberate the Ukelle nation, he said. “We are happy that after several years of being exposed to untold hardship due to lack of access road to transport our farm produce,” he stated.
He also urged the governor to follow through on his campaign promise to increase the traditional leaders’ monthly stipends.
Increasing the stipends, according to Ugede, would improve their morale and support their community involvement.
