By Francis Finian Offionor
On June 1st, 2025, High Chief Higgins Peters, accompanied with other critical stakeholders from Cross River North, had an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing Okuku-Okpoma-Mfon road construction in Yala.
The event was declared open with an opening prayer by the rector of Pope JohnPaul Minor Seminary, Okpoma, Rev. Fr. Josephat Ekor, the rector, in the company of Rev. Fr. Michael Asim, the Parish Priest of Christ the King Parish, Okpoma and Rev. Fr. Joseph, stated vital implications and impacts the road will have on the people when completed, he expressed the various damages the road has had on the lives of the people and regretted the socio-economic hardship and havoc meted on the people of Yala, with the current condition of the road.
The Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi, in the company of the State House of Assembly caucus from the North, Hon. Omang Charles Omang, Hon. Thomas Aruku, Hon. Brian Odey and Hon. Martin Achadu, eulogies the Governor for his visionary and purposeful leadership, noting his great concern for the people of Cross River North and the State at large. He pointed out that, the road impact won’t only be felt by the people of Yala, but by extension, its benefits cut across Cross River North as a whole. He expressed his appreciation to the Governor and his Deputy for being intentional and passionate about the welfare of Cross Riverians.
Ogamode Eje Ipoule, the acting paramount ruler of Yala, prayed profusely for Governor Otu, for awarding the road for construction. He stated the number of lives lost on the road and the economic hardship encountered by the people of Yala, enumerating the various damages witnessed by the people. “We have lost our loved ones in accidents, death struck our people due to pneumoconiosis, caused by inhaling dust, fibres and other airborne particles, resulting from the condition of the road”, he added.
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Brian Odey, Member Representing Yala 1 State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Governor for constantly keeping to the promises made to the people of the North and also assured the Governor of total support from the people of Yala and Cross River North by extension, come 2027.
Engr. Cosmas Ekawu Oloko, who spoke on behalf of the Okpoma community, decried the deplorable condition of the road and the regrettable hardship on the people for the past nine (9) years, from the initial commencement of the road construction by the previous Government. “As an engineer, I know the negative implications the road has had on our people, reflecting on engineering standards and practices, roads are usually rehabilitated within every twenty (20) years but our road is over forty-five (45) years and it is about wearing a new look, courtesy of our sweet prince, His Excellency, Sen. Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu”, we are grateful for bringing a saviour to us and like the Governor will always say, “Follow who know God”, this among other remarkable strides, is the reason for our continuous support for the Governor, his Deputy”, he added
Mr. Odey Sunday Ekawu, the Youth leader and Hon. Mary Odey, took turns to speak in appreciation of the Governor and his Deputy, for keeping their words and reawarding the road for construction, after the failure of the previous contractors to complete the road.
They spoke in unison on the deplorable state of the road and the number of people who have lost their lives, lost their properties and expressed delight in the positive impacts the road will have on the people of Yala and the entire North.
The Clan Heads offered ancestral prayers and prayed deeply to God to guide and lead the contractors to the completion of the road.
Present at the event were: Hon. Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Ocheke Igwe, Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Francis Ekpo, Director General, Cross River State Electrification Agency, Mr. Francis Peters, Director, Cross River State Internal Revenue, Princess Hadiza Ujah, Prince Dan Onah, Ms. Beatrice Akpala, Hon. Ignatius Kashir, (Our friend and brother from Obanliku), Comrade Francis Finian Offionor, Pastor Bill Francis Bill, Media Aide to the Governor on Community Communication (Our brother from the South), Engr. Dan Aricha, Manager, Opal Group of Companies and et’al.
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