By Tom Moses

ATAN OFFOT – INDIGENES of Atan Offot, Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State capital who fled the community last year in the wake of the threat to their homes caused by flooding and gully erosion have commended the state government for coming to their rescue.

Niger Delta Voice (NDV) gathered that the community had for long been cut off from the rest of the state due to the terrible condition of its access road until the recent intervention by the Governor Emmanuel Udom led administration.

Succour for erosion-troubled community in Akwa Ibom

In an interview with NDV, Mrs. Rose Akpan, a businesswoman, expressed gratitude to the state government for commencing construction work on the link road to the community and for also filling the deep craters, which for long had threatened the foundation of several homes.

“I am very happy with this government because Atan Offot was not only neglected by the previous administrations but also cut off from the rest of Uyo Local Government by gully erosion.

“This road was so bad that even bicycle could not ride on just as we could not walk freely. We had to construct wooden bridges from our houses for easy movement. It was a terrible situation.

“Our farms too were destroyed by the gullies and flood. That is why we are extremely happy with Governor Udom Emmanuel and the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang for coming to our aid.

“Through their intervention, the grace of God has now come to us and we now have a road to link our homes,” Mrs. Akpan noted.

Also speaking, Mrs. Veronica Sunday Ben said: “To walk on this road was a difficult task. So, I thank our governor for constructing this road for us. It has given us a sense of belonging.”

But the state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang reiterated the preparedness of the state governor to respond promptly to challenges facing every community in the state in line with his promise to the people to bring the dividends of democracy to their door step.
Inyang also commended the seriousness of the contractors handling the road project and expressed the hope that the project would be completed on time.

“At the end of the contract, you will have drainage on both sides of the road. There is provision for solar light panels from the beginning to the end of the 6.4 kilometre road.

“What we are trying to do is improve our environment such that in a short while, anywhere you live in Akwa-Ibom, you are as good as living in Uyo metropolis or Uyo City Centre and this will bring development closer to our people.

“This will also allow investors coming to have lots of options and people can decide to leave the Uyo City Centre and buy land anywhere and benefit from the same quality of infrastructure available at Ewet Housing or anywhere else,” the commissioner said and thanked the people of the community for their appreciation and support for the government.