Tension escalated along the Calabar–Itu Highway on Thursday, as residents of several communities along the highway staged a protest, blocking vehicular traffic following severe flooding they blame on the ongoing road construction being carried out by Nsik Construction.
The protesters, including men, women, and youths, occupied sections of the highway, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill while demanding urgent intervention from the Akwa Ibom State government.
According to the residents, the flooding has submerged homes and business premises, forcing many families to flee and leaving them to count their losses.
They alleged that the drainage system associated with the road project has failed to properly channel stormwater, resulting in widespread flooding that they described as unprecedented.
“We have lost our homes and property. We can no longer keep quiet,” one protester said, urging the state government to immediately inspect the project, address the drainage concerns, and provide relief for affected residents.
Also, along Tabernacle Road, residents were seen trying to evacuate their properties from their homes that have been taken over by flood waters.
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Speaking with our reporter, one ofthe resident, Mr. Utibe Peter blamed the construction company for abandoning the job that was awarded to them some years ago.
“All this problem we are facing now is because Nsik Construction Company that was given this job has decided to abandon the work.
“We don’t know what the problem is, but they have not done anything after the flag off was done by the governor,” Peter said.
The protest caused heavy traffic congestion, with long queues of vehicles stretching on both sides of the highway.
Security personnel and community leaders were seen engaging with demonstrators in an effort to restore calm and reopen the road.
The protesters are calling on the state government to review the execution of the project, investigate the allegations surrounding the construction, and ensure that all works comply with approved engineering standards to prevent further flooding and hardship.
As of the time of this report, the protest was still ongoing, with residents insisting they would remain on the highway until the relevant authorities respond to their demands.
