Some communities in Okrika Local Government Area have expressed excitement over the reinforcement works on the bridges bestriding the Kalio-Ama Road, which were said to be in their concluding stages.

Kristina Reports learnt that the project, which aims at strengthening the about 1.2 kilometer road that connects Kalio-Ama, George-Ama, Abam-Ama and Ogbogbo Town and serves as link to smaller villages such as Oba-Ama, Igbiri-Ama, Egelebie, and Arab Settlement, was being executed by the Governor Nyesom Wike led administration in the State.

Kristina Reports further learnt that the road project was commissioned in 1995 by the then Head of State, late Gen. Sani Abacha, after it was constructed by the Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC).

Secretary of Kalio-Ama Community in Okrika LGA, Matthew Kalio told Kristina Reports in a telephone interview on Thursday, July 1, 2021, in Port Harcourt that the people of the area, especially, Kalio-Ama and its adjoining communities were excited over the reinforcement works on the bridges on the road.  

“We are very happy about it because if you see the sides of the bridges you will see some cracked areas but now that the reinforcements have been done, it is a very welcome development which will make the bridges to last longer than expected.”

“The road was constructed by the then OMPADEC and commissioned in 1995 by then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha. Yes, Abacha came here and commissioned the road. So, we are happy that Governor Nyesom Wike is doing the reinforcement works now to sustain the usefulness of the bridge.”

Highlighting the economic importance of the road, Kalio said the road has, in recent times, become a gateway into the Eastern Niger Delta corridor as commuters could now access places like Eleme, Bori and other parts of Ogoni, Oyigbo, and even Abia, Akwa lbom, and Cross River States, through the road.

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“Kalio-Ama is a very busy thoroughfare because most people pass through Kalio-Ama to Akwa Ibom, Ogoni side, Eleme, Obigbo and so on. So, Kalio-Ama is a busy thoroughfare for a lot of commuters, a lot of persons pass through there.”

“Before now, we pass through the ATC waterfront or we pass through Eleme but now because of the incessant and unnecessary hold-ups at Akajo junction and Eleme roundabout many people now see Kalio-Ama as a very fast access for movement.”

“You just pay N100 and you pass through Abuloma and you are in Port Harcourt or if you are coming through Abuloma, you land in Kalio and you take a bike to the Ogoni axis, if you want to go to Akwa Ibom, if you want to go to Eleme, just like that.”    

Knowledgeable sources informed Kristina Reports that the State Government was deliberate about easing the plight of the affected communities, as with the reinforcement of the bridges, the road was now being utilized by commuters traveling to the Ogoni and Oyigbo axis of the State and neighbouring states such as Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States.  

A native of Oba-Ama, who simply identified himself as Dasetima, told Kristina reports that progress reports on the project, which is said to be under the supervision of the lawmaker representing Okrika/Ogu-Bolo in the House of Representatives, Gogo Bright, show that much of the work has been done and in less than to time the work will be completed and ready for use.

“Yes, we hear that the work is almost done; and if you ask me we are very happy in Oba-Ama and other adjoining villages. If as we heard that the road will go on to Borikiri from Kalio-Ama or Abuloma, that would be a great thing the Governor has done for us.”

Residents of the affected communities are unanimous in their conviction that the State Governor is favourably disposed towards Okrika LGA as the LGA has continued to be a big beneficiary of the magnanimity of government projects under his tenure, most recently being the flag off of the Okochiri internal roads.