Hundreds of farmers and other stakeholders in northern Cross River State have cried out over the deplorable condition of the Ikom–Obudu federal road, lamenting that the situation has led to untold hardship, economic setbacks, and manhour losses.
The aggrieved farmers said the bad road has crippled the evacuation of key agricultural produce such as cocoa, bananas, plantains and other farm crops that sustain their livelihoods and drive the local economy.
Speaking separately, the farmers, political leaders, and other concerned citizens appealed to the state government to urgently intervene, even though the road falls under federal jurisdiction.
A former member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Cletus Obun, described the road as “horrible,” urging for immediate remedial action to save the people from further hardship.
He noted that the Ikom–Obudu route has remained in a deplorable state for over eight years.
“Livelihood and economic activities across the five northern LGAs of Cross River — Ikom, Etung, Boki, Obanliku, and Obudu — are experiencing excruciating drain as productive manpower, livestock, and even lives are lost on this highway,” Obun said.
Two former councillors from Boki Local Government Area, Douglas Ogar and Amos Otu, also narrated the daily ordeals faced by residents and businesses.
Otu estimated that more than one million people and over six hundred vehicles ply the road regularly, blaming its collapse on constant use by heavy-duty timber trucks.
Ogar noted that commuters briefly enjoyed relief earlier in the year when a temporary fix was carried out, but the road has since deteriorated again.
He said most vehicle owners have abandoned their cars for motorcycles due to the worsening condition.
“The road is in a messy state, especially during the rains when vehicles get stuck almost daily,” Ogar lamented.
“Farm yields, industrial goods, and human movement have all been badly affected. These have led to economic stagnation. We appeal to Governor Bassey Otu to intervene urgently, even if it’s a federal road.”
Farmers, stakeholders lament heavy losses over deplorable Ikom–Obudu Road