MATTHEW ATTING COMMENDS UMO ENO OVER OKOPEDI–UYA ORO ROAD REHABILITATION
The Village Youth President of Nung Atai, Matthew Atting, has commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, for commencing the rehabilitation of the 13.5km Okopedi–Uya Oro Road, describing the intervention as a welcome development for residents of Okobo and Oron.
Atting expressed appreciation to the governor for responding to the infrastructure needs of the benefiting communities, noting that the rehabilitation would provide residents with more road options and improve access to essential public facilities.
The rehabilitation of the old road comes alongside ongoing construction of the 13.4km Okopedi–East West Road and follows the completion of the Nsit Atai–Okobo Road.
Speaking during an assessment of the project at CBT Junction, popularly known as Winners Chapel Roundabout, in Okobo, Atting said the intervention demonstrated that the government had not abandoned the old road but had returned to address its deteriorating condition.
He noted that the road serves several communities, including Okopedi, Nung Atai, Ati Abang, Uya Oro and Oti Oro, while providing access to public facilities such as a model primary school, police station, magistrate court and High Court.
Also speaking, Victor Uno commended Governor Eno for extending the rehabilitation to the old road while work continues on the new route.
Uno said the decision had brought relief to residents who had relied on the deteriorating road for years, adding that many had not expected the government to rehabilitate the existing route while constructing another.
The project engineer, Aniekeme Otong of U & K Limited, said the road spans approximately 13.5 kilometres, with an initial width of 11 metres, narrowing to 7.3 metres at some sections.
He explained that the work involves clearing and desilting existing drainage channels, repairing potholes and damaged sections, and applying an asphalt overlay across the entire stretch.
Otong disclosed that patching work was ongoing, while the asphalt overlay would extend from Okobo Junction towards Oron. He expressed optimism that the project would be completed within one month.
Prince Emana Mbuk James, son of the village head of Nung Atai Ita, also thanked the governor, noting that the community had sought assistance to repair the road for years.
He, however, called for appropriate traffic safety measures, including speed bumps, to address concerns about motorists speeding along the road.
Another resident, Alex Ukoh, expressed satisfaction with the intervention, observing that successive administrations had largely failed to address the road’s deteriorating condition.
The rehabilitation is expected to improve connectivity, ease access to public facilities and boost economic activities across the benefiting communities, alongside other ongoing road projects in the area.
