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| Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo inspecting the Ekur Bridge |
Economic activities will come back to life for members of New Ndebiji and Akor communities as Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo, member representing Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency yesterday visited the collapsed Ekur bridge.
The visit which was a quiet one however sparked the expected hope and the long-awaited action the people needed. The lawmaker visited the royal fathers of the two communities, (New Ndebiji and Akor) that are bounded by the river of the collapsed bridge and proceeded to assess the bridge.
Addressing the people, the lawmaker stated that he heard about the collapsed bridge while he was away, and he has been engulfed with grief as he knows the pains and predicaments the people will be faced with. "I have seen pictures and videos displaying the various phases and challenges you go through each day, it will be a display of posturing and media bravado to come here to be celebrated without thinking of a way out of this ugly situation".
"Having carried out a survey here before my visit I want to inform you that the idea of providing an alternative route in the construction of a temporary bridge is in order and that is the joy I want to share with you. While making a case to the government exploring the avenue of funds set aside for emergencies such as this, we must make an effort to help ourselves first considering the various bureaucracies that government operations".
"I have heard about the visit of various political leaders to this place. I am not saying they should not visit, but making this place a political tourist centre is not ideal. The plight of the people calls for serious concern, let's not play politics with it. This is not a moment to come around and give the people a hundred thousand or two hundred, we want a practical solution that will alleviate their suffering".
When informed about the visit of FERMA and their assessment of the bridge, Ntufam Asuquo stated that this period calls for a proactive solution. "I am happy that the senator representing Cross River South is even the chairman of FERMA, we have to put aside party differences and work out a solution to ameliorate the suffering of the collective lots".
"We fought seriously in the National Assembly for this road to be given the needed attention, and the contract was awarded to Setraco, but unfortunately, they were mobilized to construct only 5kilometres. Where do you begin with such on a road that has 13bridges and over 90culverts? This is a border road, so much is generated here but since the bridge collapsed, life has been difficult, revenue lost, etc. You can cultivate your crops and don't have a road to take your produce to the market. Federal Government and the State government generate so much from Akamkpa yet we are the most maligned and marginalized local government. This is the time to show working and address this issue once and for all. Let no one deceive you, the state or local government cannot do this road, so much is going into debt servicing, from where will the state have the funds to do anything here? All we have been doing before now is remediation works which I use to contribute but that is not what we are here for".
"I want the contractor to commence work immediately but you must make little sacrifices to help us actualise this either in manpower, wood, or anything that will expedite the progress of work in having the alternative bridge to convey your goods. I have seen first-hand what you are all passing through, leaving the issue unattended will be the height of insensitivity, he concluded.
The village head of Akor, Ntufam Asu Clement Awetta in a media chat stated that the once bubbling community of Akor is now a shadow of itself since the incident which has made life very difficult. We are truly on the wrong side of the history of the neglect we are faced with by our government. I speak in good authority of the revenue generated from this road but our story is the same. We have received so many prominent visitors in the last few weeks since the bridge more than we have received in the last ten years. And today our son, Rt. Hon. Daniel Asuquo has visited as well which comes with hope and a solution. All the support he has given to us is an indication of success tomorrow. Though we desire more, and he has promised he will look into the situation.
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