The story of Nkwot group of villages in Ikono Local Government Area is a tale of woes occasioned by neglect by successive administration in Akwa Ibom state.

Among the things lacking in the agrarian communities include roads, gully erosion, portable water, health post, electricity and conducive learning environment both pupils and students.

In the area of road, it is a three in one problem of deplorable road network, lack of bridge and threat of gully erosion.

The two bridges in Nkwot Community that links the communities with other villages are Iton Mmong Nkwot bridge which links Arochukwu community, Ukwok in INI Local Government Area to Nkwot Ikot AbokIdem and also the bridge which people can access through Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area to Nkwot Nung Imo/Ikot Akpa Isiak bridge.

The community in their self-help efforts made use of planks from palm trees to build what looks like a bridge which can only be used by pedestrian, bicycles and motorcycles.

Despite being an agrarian community the people of Nkowt are not praying for rain due to previous unpalatable experiences of flood. The gully erosion has become a threat to many residential homes in the communities due to the deplorable roads.

Speaking with Kristina Reports, Albert Inyang, a 70-year-old evangelist lamented that since he was born, he has never seen a tarred road before in any of the communities in Nkwot group of villages.

The absence of government in Nkowt community is visible in the dilapidated academic environments among the 24 villages.

The once prestigious St. Mary’s Secondary School, Nkwot Ikot Nseyen is now an eyesore while the story of Nkwot Ikot AbokIdem Secondary School is nothing to write home about in terms of learning environments.

However, there is silver lining in the sky for the people of Nkowt community as the government has awarded contract for the construction of 21.5KM Ikot Ayan – Urua Naira – Ediene – Nkwot – Nung Ukim road with 45m span bridge.

The road project handled by Zee Construction Company is expected to offer permanent solution to the issue of deplorable road as well as contend with the flood situation.

“All what we are asking for at the moment is that Akwa Ibom state government should make funds available to the contractor so that the project can be completed on time” Inyang a community leader pleaded.

A seamless rural road network and infrastructure reduces the cost of production and increases productivity especially in the agricultural sector where the transportation of crops from the farm to consumers is a major factor in the agricultural value chain.

“In line with the ARISE Agenda of the governor of Akwa Ibom state, which covers most of the challenges of Nkwot community, it is our hope that very soon relief will come the way of Nkwot people even as we promise to give massive support in his second term re-election bid in 2027,” Inyang, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Bertola Marchine –Tool, added.