NASS DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY ON CALABAR–ODUKPANI–ITU–IKOT EKPENE FEDERAL HIGHWAY, AS SENATOR EKPENYONG EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT OVER SLOW PACE OF WORK
✓ Joint National Assembly Committee Moves to Convene Public Hearing on Vital Road Corridor
By Amawu, Cletus Albert Amawu.
Calabar, Nigeria — The National Assembly Joint Committee on Works has declared a state of emergency on the Calabar–Odukpani–Itu–Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway following an oversight inspection that revealed persistent delays and poor progress on the critical infrastructure project.
The two-day inspection, which took place over the weekend of Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October 2025, was led by Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, and Hon. Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House Committee on Works. The Joint Committee pledged to convene a public hearing to identify the bottlenecks and proffer lasting solutions to the lingering challenges affecting the road’s completion.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing the Cross River South Senatorial District, who accompanied the committee on the inspection tour, expressed deep disappointment over the slow pace of work, describing the situation as unacceptable despite previous interventions by the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Works.
“My overall feeling, and that of the committee, was one of disappointment,” Senator Ekpenyong lamented. “This project has lingered for far too long, and the people who rely on this critical road continue to suffer daily.”
He recalled that on 20th November 2024, he moved a motion of national importance on the floor of the Senate urging the Federal Government to urgently address the slow progress of work on the highway. The motion led to several public hearings and oversight activities by the Senate Committee on Works, culminating in the termination and re-award of some contracts along the corridor.
However, despite these measures, progress on the project remains unsatisfactory.
“This is even more critical as we approach the Christmas season, when there will be an exponential increase in traffic and commercial activities on this road,” he warned. “The Calabar–Odukpani–Itu–Ikot Ekpene Highway remains a vital commercial artery for the movement of passengers and goods, including agricultural produce, construction materials, and petroleum products, connecting Cross River State to the entire South-South region.”
Senator Ekpenyong commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s ongoing commitment to infrastructure renewal across the country, appealing for sustained attention to the South-South corridor.
“I thank President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to infrastructural development nationwide, and I plead that sustained attention be given to this vital road corridor,” he said.
He also lauded the leadership of the National Assembly, under His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for demonstrating firm oversight and institutional resolve in addressing the issue, as well as Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State for their hospitality and collaboration during the committee’s visit.
“My gratitude goes to both Governor Bassey Otu and Governor Umo Eno for their support and hospitality while we were in Calabar and Uyo, and for their continuous efforts toward resolving this quagmire,” he remarked.
Senator Ekpenyong further emphasised the importance of legislative oversight as a cornerstone of democratic governance, ensuring accountability, transparency, and effective implementation of government projects.
“This exercise reaffirms the critical role of legislative oversight in safeguarding public interest,” he noted. “I remain committed to serving the people of the Southern Senatorial District with dedication and accountability.”
