By Emmanuel Nicholas
Road transportation constitutes an integral aspect of a nation's development. Roads form one of the most important and a valuable public asset as it carries about 90percent of its passengers and a major access to rural communities, which form the food basket of every nation. It is all encompassing and pervasive and therefore affects the social, economic, and political life of every citizen. In Akwa Ibom State, road transportation accounts for 94percent of freight and 97percent of all traffic movements.
Before the entrance of Chief Godswill Akpabio as the governor of Akwa Ibom state some roads in the State particularly those hinterlands outside the state capital were not motorable, and 95percent of cities and rural communities never experienced good network, as some communities were cut off from the others as most ancient wooden constructed bridges were broken down, typical examples were Etim Ekpo and Enen Nsit bridges .
The cities of Abak, Ikot Ekpene, Oron, Ikot Abasi and Eket never experience the impact of development. Chief Dr Godswill Akpabio administration has wrought in terms of giving these cities good road network and other quality infrastructures, turning them from being glorified villages that were regarded or tagged townships into worthy image of urban centres hence making them attractive to investors and the locals
The government of Chief Godswill Akpabio has identified that good road network is the first infrastructure needed in any Nation that seek after rapid economic growth and he embarked upon massive road construction across the State without politicizing it, like concentrating in one zone of the State rather, he spread the road construction cut across all the tribes and geo-Political districts, showing a detribalized personality and a courageous Leader who wants to leave indelible mark on the sands of time.
In making sure quality jobs are delivered, the present administration sort for services of multi-nationals like Julius Berger , CCECC , Setraco, Stemco NIGER PET including some reputable indigenous construction firms who had distinquished themselves in terms of delivering quality jobs
.,CCEE, ACE works, Emem and Sons and Bas Engineering among others.
One of the avowed mission statements of the Governor of Akwa Ibom state was to pursue development with anger. That he has displayed in road construction and maintainace , as over three hundred roads had been constructed and he also established the operation Zero pot hole through the Akwa Ibom Roads. Among the roads constructed by Chief Dr Akapbio administration are dualization of Ekim Itam junction –Ikot Oku Ikono Road, eccentric fly over, Afaha Obong –Etim Ekpo–Urua Inyang–iwukem Road, Oron road Airport diversion, Oron Road 11 from Mbiabong –Airport, Ikot Obio Okpon /Lutheran Road, Ikot Ewang-Mbiaso Road, Ikot Umo Essien –Urua Eret –Ikot Udom Road with spur. Dualization of Aka -Nung Udoe Road, Ikot Akpa Erong –ikot Obio Nko –Nsit –Odot Road,Ikot Ntan-Obiokpok –Afaha Offiong-Mbiokporo 1and 11,Mkpat Enin-Ikot Abia –Ikot Etefia –Ikot Esang Road,Ikpe Ikot Nkon –Obotme –Arochukwu /Nkana Bridge ,Uyo-Afaha-Nkan –Ikot Etefia –Ikot Ukim Road.
Others include Oku –Obom-Ikot Ukana-Nkap/Abiakpo, Ikot Abia Eduo/Ikot Otu –Usaka Annang Road, Leprosy Hospital Road, Umoetteh Road, Ndon Umoh Road, Ebiyak Road, Iman Road,Studium Road, Stadium Road, Nsit Road, Essien Road , Ikot Ikono Etinan, Ring Road/ three Fly-over, Ikot Oku Ikono, Abak junction, dualization of Uyo- Ikot Ekpene Road, Etinan –Eket Oron –Ibaka Deep Seaport ( Mbo), 3rd Ring Road with five fly-overs, Ibeno Road dualization , Abak- Uyo Road, Utu Nsekhe –Ikot Akpa Nkuk Phase 11,Ikot Etim –Ikot Ibritam –ikot Ikara phase 1, and Oku-obom-Usaka Annang, ikot umosseien Road.
In his bid to make the urban centers attractive to investors and tourists, Chief Akpabio has constructed 19 Road in Abak, Ikot Abasi 28, Oron 34, ikot Ekpene 30, Eket 47, Etinan 13 and Uyo being the State capital has received the larger portion of this massive development, with 14 streets in Osongama Estate, 12 in financial layout, 15 in Ewet Housing , 5 Roads in shelter Afrique and 37 others spread across the capital city.
Uyo also has a lot of beautification projects to attract more tourists, Edet Akpan–Nwaniba has been beautified with a roundabout that has a water fountain in the middle, so also have both end of Dominic Utuk Avenue been beautified.
Another spot that has received this mind blowing beautification is the Ikot Ekpene Road – Uniuyo Junction which has been beautified with roundabout and flowers to make it heaven-like.
Governor Akpabio has refuse to allow education to suffer any set back in his time, as he also constructed several roads in many education institutions, among them are ,7 roads in University Of Uyo, ,construction of access Roads, culverts ,drains and Erosion control in Akwa ibom State Polytechnic ,Ikot Asurua, construction on internal roads /drainage at police Academy ,construction of internal roads at holy family college ,construction of internal Road of Akwa Ibom University of Technology, and internal road of college of Education Afaha Nsit ,
With the massive Road construction the State is the best in Nigeria in terms of good terrain. One could drive for fifty miles without pot hole or unconstructed street and road, therefore it is advisable that one should not sleep and drive as it will result in casualties because of the smooth network of roads.
A safe and efficient transportation system provides citizens with numerous economic benefits for Akwa Ibom State, its businesses, and communities. From reduced vehicle and fleet maintenance costs to increased economic development and job creation, the value of our roadways can be counted in many ways.
Well maintained roads and bridges allow convenient and safe access to all the ‘natural’ State has to offer whether you’re headed to work, importing or exporting products, exploring one of our many state parks, or simply visiting grandma. We want you and your loved ones to always make it home safely.
These Benefits include safer travel, reduced congestion, reduced fuel usage, reduced vehicle maintenance costs , job creation and related positive economic impact and Improved quality of life. Also are enhanced tourism opportunities, Improved access to everything, the Natural State has to offer Increased economic development opportunities, Job creation and related positive economic impact, Increased safety, satisfaction, and pride among local residents
Benefits of good roads for the state businesses, industries, and overall commerce include, reduction in commercial transportation costs, reduction in fleet maintenance costs ,reduced time frame for ground shipping, enhanced access to highway transportation network, Improved access to resources, markets, and customers overall boost to economic vitality, better roads mean safer travel.
Akwa Ibom consistently has one of the lowest traffic fatality rate in the country/ Traffic accidents killed 0.5 people in the State from 2007 to 2012, an average of 5percent fatalities per year. Improved safety features and roadway design will help reduce the number of people who lose their lives in traffic accidents and this is important for the state.
Statistics show that increased investment in road and bridge improvements saves lives. Making road lanes and shoulders wider, adding medians and improving bridges are just a few of the improvements that have been shown to significantly reduce fatalities. So the dualization of roads by Governor Godswill Akpabio is to save lives and add value to economics activities of the state .
Akwa Ibom State has the lowest fatality rate in the country today as roadway design is estimated to be a factor in approximately one-third of fatal traffic accidents. where appropriate highway improvements can reduce traffic fatalities and accidents while improving traffic flow and reducing congestion. Every 100 billion invested in highway safety improvements will result in approximately 145 fewer traffic fatalities over a 10-year period.
Bad roads cost business community money. Driving on roads in need of repair costs the motorists 100 million naria a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs — that is three thousand naira per motorist or approximately six hundred thousand naira per household. Costs include accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair costs, and increases fuel consumption and tire wear.
With good Roads economic growth thrives on easy access. Federal Highway Administration studies show that counties where highway-related improvements were made outperformed the rest of the nation in relative job growth. Researchers concluded that as much as 40 to 65 percent of job growth in the areas studied was attributable to transportation improvements.
Improvements to the highway system can have a positive impact on luring prospective companies and keeping existing companies in the State , increasing job opportunities for the citizens. With wonderful roads network in Akwa Ibom State provided by the prudent leadership of Chief Godwills Akpabio , surely, Akwa Ibom State is ready for economic boom, and the on-going industrialization will become a great success, as tourists will throng the state in great number , the beauty of the state is heavenly. And please again, don’t drive and sleep on motion. While going on sighting of the beautiful places don’t drive and sight to avoid accident. The breath taking terrain of Akwa Ibom state will mesmerize you. To go home safe, pack and watch.
