Hon. Ifiok Udoh Decries Deplorable State of Bridges in Nsit Ibom

Hon. Ifiok OS Udoh

... calls for urgent government intervention

By Ofonime Ekanem

The member representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Ifiok Udoh has decry the deplorable state of bridges in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.


He raised this concern while presenting a motion titled 'Concern over the state of Bridges in Nsit Ibom State Constituency of Akwa Ibom State: A call for immediate action' at the floor of the House earlier today.

Presenting the motion, Hon. Ifiok Udoh decried the deplorable state of bridges in his constituency and it's negative effects on the economic and social lives of the indigenes of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. Notable among such bridges include; Ekpene Ikpan/Ikot Offiok Bridge, Okukuk/Mbiakuk Bridge, Nkwot/Ikot Akata Bridge and Ikot Odion/Ikot Akata Bridge.

"Whereas, the economic and social importance of these bridges to the inhabitants of communities stated above could not have been unimportant when over fifty years ago, government then, saw the need to construct those bridges linking people and economic activities there, to other parts of the world" Hon. Ifiok stated.

Hon. Ifiok Udoh further stated that bridges like Nkwot/Ikot Akata bridge and Ikot Odiong/Ikot Ekang bridge links roads which provides the major access for people in the whole swart of over ten villages as well as neighboring Local Government Area and as such, it's deplorable state is a matter of great concern to the people as their economic activities is affected.

"I am worried because in time past, several lives have been lost due to accidents on these bridges as well as the attendant difficulties and costs of detouring through other roads at longer distances with high cost " Hon. Ifiok added.

He also pointed out that these areas have been of great economic benefit to the State as 'fine sharp sand' for Civil Engineering activities in Uyo where sourced from perennially flowing streams and rivers in the aforementioned communities.

The House in her dual resolution thereafter, called on the State Government led by His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel to direct the Ministry of Works and other related agency of government to move into these areas to reconstruct or rehabilitate these bridges.

Secondly, the House called on Nsit Ibom Local Government Area administration to immediately provide remedial actions to keep these bridges and roads at safety standard for temporal usage till the State government move to construct the bridges and where necessary, erect road signs and direct motorists to alternative routes for the mean time.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey thereafter referred the motion to the House Committee on Works for further legislative action and report back to the House within one month.