ITORO BASSEY
The residents of the Ikot Nte community in Etinan Local Government Area have appealed to Governor Umo Eno for assistance in constructing the Ikot Obio Eka–Ikot Ibok–Ikot Nte–Mbioto II Road, which is the only major route connecting their village to Mbioto and Etinan town.
During separate interviews with reporters over the weekend, community members said Ikot Nte has become socially and economically isolated from neighboring communities in Iman South, Etinan.
They said the situation has worsened due to the broken Ikot Nte–Mbioto Bridge, which has also developed dangerous gullies.
Obong Joshua Amos, the Village Head of Ikot Nte, described the community's plight as one of being cut off from civilisation.
He noted that residents are now struggling to access the General Hospital in Mbioto II, a vital health facility that was once easily reachable.
"Our village can no longer access the General Hospital in Mbioto, which is just an eight-minute drive away. Due to the current state of the bridge, we now have to travel through four other villages, making any medical emergency nearly impossible," he lamented.
Obong Amos added that the bridge, which is over 60 years old, has been unusable for more than fifteen years since it collapsed.
He appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government to repair the bridge and road, as well as to improve the declining infrastructure at the Community Secondary Commercial School in Ikot Nte.
This reporter learned that for many years, during the dry season, some generous residents of Ikot Nte living abroad, along with local residents, have contributed millions of naira to temporarily grade the road. However, when the rainy season arrives, all the sand would be washed away, leaving the road riddled with gullies and craters.
With the rainy season approaching, the village Head said residents are increasingly concerned about the threat of erosion that could further devastate their community.
"Our farm produce cannot reach the markets in Etinan, where they are needed. It is disheartening that our women and children must trek up to three hours in order to access the nearest market to buy good," he said.
"Traveling through Ikot Nte to Mbioto ll feels like walking through a valley of death. Only our strong youths can pass through that road on bicycles or motorcycles".
The Village Head noted that many residents have suffered serious injuries from falls on the collapsed bridge, with some ending up in orthopedic hospitals or with traditional bone setters.
Mr. Jonathan Abasiubong, the community's project coordinator, expressed his sorrow over the state of the Ikot Obio Eka–Ikot Ibok–Ikot Nte–Mbioto II Road, questioning what crime the people of Ikot Nte have committed to endure such hardship.
In addition to the poor road conditions, Ikot Nte has also faced nearly two decades of prolonged power outages, leaving the community in darkness.
Meanwhile, some natives of the community living abroad, particularly those in the Ikot Nte USA World Forum, have also called on the state government to address the infrastructural challenges that have left their community in despair and isolation.
The group, which has funded essential projects like borehole water facilities, solar-powered streetlights, and road grading in Ikot Nte, praised Governor Umo Eno's leadership.
During an interaction with our correspondent on Sunday, the leadership of the group noted that Governor Eno's administration has adopted an inclusive and comprehensive approach to development that has positively impacted the lives of citizens throughout the state.
"Pastor Umo Eno’s inclusive and transformative initiatives, including agricultural reforms, infrastructure development, healthcare improvements, and economic empowerment programmes, have set a benchmark for excellence in governance and service delivery".
They also thanked Hon. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, the Etinan lawmaker, and Hon. Uko Umoh, the Council Chairman, for their efforts in advocating for immediate government action regarding the Obio Eka–Ikot Ibok–Ikot Nte–Mbioto II Road and the collapse of the Ikot Nte-Mbioto II and Ikot Mfon–Ndiya bridges, which have left the affected communities isolated for years.
The group praised Ekpo-Ufot and Hon. Umoh for their dedication to tackling essential infrastructure challenges in the Etinan communities, noting that their efforts would benefit the residents and ease their current hardships.
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