A’Ibom community seeks gov’s intervention over collapsed road

Residents of Ikot Nte in Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have cried out seeking government intervention over the deplorable state of the Ikot Obio Eka–Ikot Ibok–Ikot Nte–Mbioto II Road, which has left them isolated for years.

The road, the only major link between their village, Mbioto, and Etinan town, has deteriorated to the point where access to essential services has become a daily struggle.

Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, the Village Head of Ikot Nte, Obong Joshua Amos, lamented the poor state of the road which has cut off his people from civilisation.

“Our village can no longer access the General Hospital in Mbioto, which is just an eight-minute drive from here. Because of the collapsed bridge, we now have to pass through four other villages, making medical emergencies nearly impossible,” he said.

He explained that during the dry season, community members abroad and residents contribute millions of naira to grade the road temporarily.

However, these efforts are often washed away once the rains return, leaving the road riddled with gullies and craters.

“Every rainy season fills us with fear. Our farm produce cannot reach the markets in Etinan, and our women and children must trek up to three hours just to buy food. Travelling through Ikot Nte to Mbioto II is like walking through a valley of death. Only strong youths can pass through that road on bicycles or motorcycles,” he added.

Amos also disclosed that many residents have suffered serious injuries while trying to cross the collapsed bridge, with some ending up in orthopaedic hospitals or seeking help from traditional bone setters.

“We are appealing to the Akwa Ibom State Government to repair the bridge and road, as well as improve the declining infrastructure at the Community Secondary Commercial School in Ikot Nte,” he pleaded.

Corroborating his concerns, the community’s Project Coordinator, Jonathan Abasiubong, decried the years of neglect, questioning what crime the people of Ikot Nte had committed to deserve such hardship.

“The situation is so pathetic that sometimes we wonder what we did to deserve this suffering,” he said.

Members of the Ikot Nte USA World Forum, a group of community members living abroad, have also joined the call for urgent government intervention.

Despite funding projects such as boreholes, solar-powered streetlights, and road grading, they said their efforts could not replace the government’s responsibility to provide critical infrastructure.