By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The Forum of Special advisers to Governor Bassey Otu has disclosed that the administration of Governor Bassey Otu has constructed 102 kilometres if road since coming to power three years ago.
The special adviser on Project Monitoring and Evaluation to the hr governor, Mr. Raphael Murphy Adoga reeled out the projects undertaken by the governor.
He named the roads completed, including those still under construction or rehabilitation across the three Senatorial Districts.
The forum explained why the administration gave priority to rehabilitation of internal roads in military, police and other security formations in Calabar, saying the projects were aimed at strengthening support for security agencies and improving infrastructure within their barracks.
Adoga said the government deliberately prioritised the rehabilitation of roads within security institutions during its first year in office to reinforce its partnership with the agencies and restore confidence in government intervention.
According to him, many of the roads within the barracks had deteriorated over the years and required urgent attention.
He said upgrading them was necessary to improve accessibility, enhance the working environment and reflect the importance of the institutions.
“The condition of most of the internal roads was poor. They needed to be upgraded to befit their status and further strengthen the cordial relationship between government and the security agencies,” he stated.
He listed completed projects to include roads within the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force Base in Calabar.
The adviser further disclosed that the administration completed road projects within the Police Mobile Force (MOPOL) 2 and MOPOL 11 barracks, the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) complex.
He added that the state government had constructed about 120 kilometres of roads across the state within three years.
He said these roads spread across the three senatorial districts, adding that many others are undergoing rehabilitation.
However, some stakeholders in Cross River North Senatorial District, particularly in Ukelle, Yala Local Government Area, have challenged the government’s claims on infrastructure delivery.
Youth leaders, including Paul Ben and Timothy Uke, alleged that work on the Ukelle bridge and the road linking the area to Benue State has made little progress since it commenced in 2024, insisting that residents have yet to feel the impact of the project.
Chairman of the forum, Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba who is the special adviser on general duties, said the administration of Governor Otu has accomplished greater number of projects in the state than any previous administrations.
He commended Otu for being deliberate and purposeful in his governance style which he said has impacted the people.
“The Governor’s administration has focused on citizen-centered governance and many other feats which most people may not be aware of. This is the reason we have gathered to list them out sector by sector.
“No administration has given attention to numerous sectors at the same time like this administration.
“This administration has completed over 120 kilometers of roads. We’re also aware of several facilities that have been built from foundation to completion but are yet to be commissioned.”
