The Akwa Ibom State Government says it would repair the bad portions on Ikpa Road by University of Uyo main and annex campuses, as well as other roads that have become deplorable in the State as a way of ameliorating the sufferings of commuters.

The State Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Eno Ibanga said this on Sunday, October 20, 2024 during a press conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Ibanga was reacting to media reports and calls from tricycle riders in the State for immediate repair works to be carried out on Ikpa Road by the University of Uyo main and annex campuses.

Acknowledging the plight of commuters on the road, the Commissioner said all the potholes on Ikpa Road and other important roads within the city centre had already received government’s attention.

According to him, the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno had directed the Ministry of Works and Fire Service, two contractors, as well as the Akwa Ibom State Roads and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (AKROIMA), to fix those failed portions.

Ibanga, who assured that repair works on those roads would commence as soon as dry season sets in, said the failure of those roads was not out of place, considering that every road had a lifespan, hence the need for regular maintenance.

“It is important that we remind ourselves that roads have a lifespan, and they inch closer, they need for maintenance and remedial jobs become inevitable.

“The noticeable potholes on our intra-city roads have already received government’s attention, as the Governor had directed our ministry to immediately engage two contractors, in addition to AKROIMA to undertake maintenance and remedial works on the intra-city roads. They are only waiting for the rains to stop before work commences”.

Recall that the deplorable state of some portions of Ikpa Road where the main and annex campuses of the University of Uyo are located, recently, forced some tricycle riders to volunteer some repair works on the road to ease the pain and suffering of students and other commuters using the road daily.

The tricycle riders who mobilised themselves to the failed portions with their spades, had said the voluntary repair works were an interventionist effort by a few of them who had foreseen accidents that could claim lives, particularly those of the university students who use the road daily.

Kristina Reports correspondent who monitored the development, had reported the calls and reactions of these tricycle riders who volunteered the repairs, as well as those of some commuters who regularly ply the road.