Residents Commend Gov Ayade For Transforming Obudu, Northern Cross River

EMMANUEL ULAYI

Residents of Obudu Local Government area are full of effusive praises for the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, for transforming their area.

The people are excited by the ongoing infrastructural development, especially roads and street lights in Obudu.
At a recent gathering, Obudu youths, women, farmers and other stakeholders in the council area commended the Governor’s developmental strides in the areas, describing themselves as the major beneficiaries of the projects.

“As a result of the huge infrastructural development here, It is now easier for farmers to transport their goods to the nearby markets. We are happy and grateful to His Excellency for bringing government closer to us” a farmer, who also described herself as a teacher, said.

A broad spectrum of the people observed that the snippets of what the ongoing 145 kilometres dualised highway from Mfom Junction in Yala, linking Ogoja, Bekwara, Obudu and Obanliku Ranch roads will look like has been revealed to the people of Obudu Local Government area, and the people are already ecstatic about it.

Cypril Ogar, a youth leader said, “The Governor has done well for the people of Northern Cross River but we need him to do more. I’m a youth leader leading the cyclists business here and as a cyclist, I can tell you that the business is better than before because of good and improved roads now. My colleagues and I now do many rounds within few minutes. Obudu is now like Calabar and if every leader can develop the rural communities, the rush to Calabar will be reduced”.

Also, Comrade Peter Abutanjo from  Beguagbon Community  in Obudu said, “Formerly the road wasn’t good but the Governor has made us proud for making the road a full package for the rural people. The street lights, traffic lights and dualised road have turned around our economy and reduced insecurity in our domain. Transportation has been made easy for us by the Governor and every young person is going back to agriculture because it’s paying off now”.

Paulina Bershe, who lives at Kakum Junction, posits that women are now making more money through their small scale businesses.
According to her, the women have resolved to name the road after Governor Ayade “because he has improved our standard of living”.
According to Bershe, “Women are making more money; we are selling both day and night because of the street lights and good roads, but the women need to see the Governor to say thank you for effecting changes in our lives”.
She is of the opinion that there should be periodic inspection on the roads to enable the contractors speed up the works.

On his part, Mr. Michael Obi from  Boki Local Government, said the journey of four hours between Obudu and Boje in Boki has been reduced to one and half hour due to the construction of Boki Link Bridge in Boje and the dualised roads along ranch community road.

“We come to Obudu for our weekends now instead of Ikom. And this is because Obudu is now our ‘Small London’. On behalf of the youths and farmers in Boki, we say thank you to Mr. Governor for having the interest of the rural communities at heart.”

As for Abdulahi Umar, a non-indigene, who was born and bred all in Obudu, “This road is good and it has reduced insecurity in Northern Cross River.You know development brings unity since infrastructure is seen and felt by the people; everyone would have something to do as only lazy persons will not get something doing either in agricultural or transportation trade in Obudu and its environs”.

While assuring the people of Obudu and indeed Cross River State of completing the ongoing projects under Ayade’s administration, the Chief Press Secretary and Senior Special Assistant Media to the Governor, Mr. Christian Ita said, “When Governor Ayade decided to embark on these projects, many people didn’t give him a chance but today, the story is different. I can assure you that all the ongoing projects will be completed before the end of Ayade’s administrations with Intellectual Money (IM) and Others Peoples Money (OPM)”.

“All what your son needs from you are prayers and support because I know of a fact that Ayade is using development in Northern Cross River to unite the people and provide opportunities for them. All these link roads from Mbok Junction in Yala, Ogoja, Bekwara Obudu and Obanliku LGAs will change the face of the peoples’ wellbeing” Mr. Ita concluded.