Ukelle: Youths renew campaign for repair of abandoned Cross River road (photos)

By James lukpata

Instead of voting for the right person that will consider fixing Ukelle road, you people prefer to vote for those who can offer you some money and personal help.

The above captures the outburst of one of the constituents who have gone through some difficulty due to the deplorable state of Ukelle road in Cross River state.

The 47 km North Ukelle Road stretches from Yahe to wanihem a boarder Town between Cross River and Benue State. It is also in northern senatorial district, which happens to be part of the region that produced the incumbent Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade.

Ukelle, a densely populated six political wards, has continue to suffer neglect from both the government and some illustrious sons and daughters working with the present government in the state.

As an aggrerian community, a lot of constituents depend on their farm yields and access to market where they can sell their produce to raise income and cater for other needs.

However, due to the impassable road, all efforts to improve the standard of living of the residents remain a wish.

Recently, some concerned youths volunteered to embarked on an inspection tour to ascertain the level of damage the road has caused residents.

It is sad that everal efforts from various youths groups in the constituency has not attracted the desired result, particularly that of “The Ukelle Youth Development Forum” which had embarked on NoroadNoelection campaign during the 2020 Cross River North Senatorial bye election with the hope to attract government attention.

Ayade is said to have re-awarded the project for N3.8 billion but the road still remains in a shambolic state.

Difficulty in earning a living and loss of lives due to accident occasioned by the bad road remain major concerns for residents.

Constituents have no access to the current voter’s card registration exercise because there is no road for INEC officials to access the constituency and get eligible voters registered.

The constituency has been underrepresented time and again based on lack of access to timely information simply because of the poor road network which has also denied constituents access to basic infrastructural facilities across the constituency.

Below are recent photos of the neglected road: