A citizen of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Daniel Umana, has called out the council chairman, Hon. Emmanuel John Inyang, over the deplorable condition of a major road in the area, alleging that its poor state is worsening economic hardship, disrupting businesses and threatening the livelihoods of residents.
Umana, in an open letter to the chairman, expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the administration’s failure to address the basic needs of the people, particularly the rehabilitation of the road linking the local government area to the state capital.
He identified the stretch from Akpaden Junction to 42 Junction as a critical route requiring urgent intervention, saying its deteriorating condition had made transportation difficult and affected the movement of people and goods.
According to him, the situation has contributed to multiple road accidents, damage to vehicles and other property, declining commercial activities, market disruptions, hunger, insecurity and longer travel times.
Umana raised particular concern over the impact on Ukam Market, which he described as one of the area’s major trading centres, claiming that participation had declined by nearly 60 per cent or more because traders and customers were finding it increasingly difficult to access the market.
He said the market had long served as an important source of income for residents, warning that continued disruption of trading activities could worsen the economic difficulties facing households and businesses across the local government area.
The citizen recounted his personal experience on the road, saying that even his Hilux vehicle struggled to navigate the damaged stretch, with his journey interrupted at some points when he became stuck without auxiliary assistance.
He argued that the condition of the road had turned an essential public facility into a source of hardship for residents, particularly those who depend on it for their daily activities and commercial transactions.
Umana accused the council administration of showing insufficient concern for the challenges confronting the people, questioning why a road of such importance had not received the attention he believed it deserved.
He also questioned whether the chairman was receiving honest feedback about the condition of the area, suggesting that people around him might not be adequately communicating the extent of the residents’ suffering.
In his criticism, Umana said local government leadership should prioritise essential public services, including roads, potable water, education, employment opportunities and electricity, where feasible, to improve living conditions.
He described the situation as a failure of leadership and went as far as suggesting that the chairman should resign if his administration could not meet the basic needs of the people.
The citizen also appealed to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and the state government to intervene in the rehabilitation of the road from Akpaden Junction to 42 Junction.
He said the affected stretch was less than 20 kilometres long, arguing that its importance to transportation and commerce made urgent attention necessary.
Umana called on residents and other concerned citizens to share his open letter widely until the authorities respond to the concerns raised.
