By: Grace Ushornye.

The Cross River State Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Edem Effiom is undertaking the grading of 6.3 kilometers of rural roads in three communities in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Commissioner, the gesture is a quick win exercise extended to the people of the area who have seldom witnessed the government’s presence.
Hon. Effiom maintained that Atim Asam, Etim-But and Ikot Abasi Effiom communities, whose major source of livelihoods are farming and fishing, have no access roads which has exposed several locals to harm in the course of their daily endeavors.
Speaking at the project site on Saturday, the Commissioner said it was time to help the government proffer solutions to some of the basic needs of the rural dwellers.

“What you see here is a self help project. This community has been neglected for over 40 years, with no access roads to people who are predominantly farmers. Several ugly situations have been recorded in these places as a result of the inaccessible roads.
“At the peak of the rainy seasons when farmers struggle with bringing out their farm produce they record very bad accidents because of too many people struggling to find their way through very narrow paths, so l took it upon myself with the little benefit that l have received from His Excellency Governor Ben Ayade to give back to the people. I am looking at continuing same in the hard to reach areas of Bakassi shortly after here”, Hon. Effiom said.

The grading starts at Atim Asam Junction right through Ikot Etim-But and terminates at Atim Asam village.