Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state has lamented that incessant rains in parts of the state have debarred him from completing his many projects in the state before next year’s governorship election.
Expressing shocks that the rains were still heavy even in November, Ayade assured that the job target will still be reached as the contractors have continued to work despite the heavy rains that threatened the ongoing project aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of the citizenry as well as other road users.
Remarking about the ongoing road construction in the state, he expressed satisfaction with the quality of work at the ongoing dualization of the 147km Mfom-Yala-Bekwarra-Obudu ranch road despite the rains.
According to the governor, “it is like doing the job twice. They have finished preparing this place, ready for stone base. Now, because of the heavy rain, they have to do another redressing, getting it ready yet again, which is another full earthworks, full compaction in readiness for stone base.”
He disclosed that although the state had no money to finance such project, he had no option than to give his commitment, using intellectual money to get it done as an appreciation for the overwhelming support he got from the electorate during the election that brought him to office as the governor.
“You can see that they (contractors) are already at Yala, they have crossed the rice mill and by next week they will be at Okuku junction and start facing Okpoma,” Ayade intimated, adding that “the job is almost done and I am particularly impressed with the quality of work.”
The governor enjoined the people of the Northern Senatorial District and the entire Cross Riverians to be patient, “The roads will be done. There is no day you have driven through this road, during rain or no rain except for Christmas or national strike, that you will not see work going on here.”