By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has imotalized his father in-law, late Obong Sampson Udoidiong who was the former paramount ruler of Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state by renaming Ring Road 2 in Uyo after him.
The 6.64km Ring Road 2, now called Chief Udoidiong Drive which was commissioned on Friday, has drains to tackle the flood problem along Abak and Aka roads in Uyo, the state capital.
Speaking during its commissioning Governor Udom Emmanuel said that all the roads to be commissioned would be named after people who have worked for the growth of the state.
He added that the road inauguration heralds another phase of project commissioning before the exist of his administration on May 29.
“This commissioning today, we have taken into consideration the drainage system. When the flood was ravaging every other state capital, we were spared because of a lot of investments we’ve done underground.
“If you check underground it can take a whole big car underground, everything around this area has been channeled underground to Aka road. We are still in Shelter Afrique trying to tar roads; we have more than five and I hope we will be able to commission it.
“Those in Atan Offot area, I told them that the day I’ll leave office, I will not leave a single road in Atan Offot and now 15 roads in Atan Offot with side drains have been done and there is no place in the area that is not tarred. We are able to achieve all these because of your support,” he stated.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga commended Governor Emmanuel for the supporting Indigenous contractors of road projects in the state, and lauded Chief Executive Officer of Hensek Integrated Services, Engr. Uwem Okoko for ensuring the road projects were completed.
On his part, Chief Executive Officer, HENSEK Integrated Services, Engr. Uwem Okoko assured the government and people of the state that the road was durable.
He pledged to maintain the roads he has constructed free of charge without cost to government incase of any defect, saying the roads have taken care of the flood problem in the area.
“Your Excellency, I want to thank God, I want to thank you for giving us another opportunity to finish your vision on this Ring Road 2, an engineering master piece.
“This road is a dual carriage way, 3.32, when you take both sides is, 6.64km of road. It is 10 metres wide, it has walk way of 1.2 km both sides and has an underground drainage system running across the entire length of the road.
“It is 5metres deep, 1.5metre by 1.5metresa by 0.2metres running from Abak road to IBB flood control canal. From Aka road, we have 1.3 by 1.3 by 0.15metres underground drainage running to IBB control canal.”
He said that by the construction of the ring road the flood problem of Ring Road 2 and adjourning communities in the area has been solved stressing that the asphalt is 60mm binders course and 50mm wearing course, 200mm thick stone base and has have over 4metres thick of deep compacted laterite.
