John NTEKIM
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to commence the construction of Section V, Phase I of the East-West Road linking Oron in Akwa Ibom State to Calabar in Cross River State, following a motion presented by Rep. Martins Esin on Thursday.
The House also called for the inclusion of the long-delayed project in the 2027 budget estimates, urging the Federal Ministry of Works to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Finance to make the necessary provision.
Presenting the motion, Rep. Esin, who represents Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency, highlighted the prolonged delay in implementing a project conceived as the final stretch needed to complete the East-West Road and strengthen connectivity across the Niger Delta.
He recalled that the Federal Executive Council, under the administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, approved the construction contract on October 22, 2014, at the sum of ₦165.3 billion. The Council subsequently approved an additional ₦661.33 million for engineering supervision on December 3, 2014.
Despite these approvals, the Oron–Calabar section remains uncompleted, leaving a critical transportation link between Akwa Ibom and Cross River States unrealised.
Esin who chairs the House Committee on Youth Development noted that the prolonged delay has constrained the movement of people and goods between the two states, while denying the region the full economic and developmental benefits envisaged from the completion of the highway.
He stressed the need for the Federal Government to act on the existing approvals and prioritise the project as part of efforts to improve transportation infrastructure, strengthen inter-state connectivity and unlock economic opportunities.
In its resolutions, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately take steps towards commencing construction of the road. It further called on the Ministries of Works and Finance to ensure that the project is captured in the 2027 budget estimates.
The House also mandated its Committees on Appropriations and Works to ensure compliance with the resolutions.
