By Essien Ndueso
A comprehensive visit to Oron was the first major assignment outside Uyo for Governor Udom Emmanuel shortly on assumption of office in 2015. At that time, Oron town’s major expressway had been completely cut off by severe ecological challenges occasioned by erosion and flood, with most communities submerged and others on the brink of collapse.
Anyone who journeyed into the ancient town, would obviously be forced to divert into Secretariat Road, and use small deplorable streets to access any location in the town, or risk driving straight on the stretch into the ravine caused by the erosion on the main road. The large Oron main market, the Oron beach, national museum and other historical landmarks could no longer be accessed, as they were on the other side of the gulf.
When Mr Emmanuel visited in June 2015, he was welcomed by a torrential downpour, but this did not derail him as he trekked long distances to access the impact, severity and effect of the disaster. He left with a promise that he will return, but not in the same manner he first came. Usually Oron people were used to promises by previous leaders and would not have been surprised that Udom Emmanuel spends the next eight years, assuring, reassuring and oversuring them, without any action, that was not new to them.
But Udom is not just any other politician, he is a man of his words. He returned shortly after with all manners of earth moving equipment, machines and personnel to ensure that Oron regained its fame. To Governor Emmanuel, an area that feeds the state and beyond with aquatic resources, deserves special attention, first as an appreciation to the host communities and secondly to reactivate economic activities once again.
The beauty of this is that within 100 days in his first tenure, Efiat Street , Bassey lane , Bassey Street, Anwana Esin , Maryanne and Post office streets had been constructed with water channelization to deflood the area.
Market Street drainage was linked to both Awana Esin Road and Post office Street, complete with water channelization to serve as outfalls drainage that will collect the flood water and channel it to the river basin.
Among other roads in the area touched include Atta Street, Ebo Street, Market Street, Asbestonit Road and Efiat Lane, as well as the Apostolic Road, that the Governor inaugurated on a day the church held a thanksgiving service to appreciate God for sending him to the state.
Recently, Governor Emmanuel re-mobilised contractors handling roads projects in Oron, and the popular Murtala Mohammed Road that has been in bad shape is now being deflooded and construction is ongoing. The remaining construction work on the main Oron Road to link it to the sea, is also in top gear.
The construction of the 9 kilometer Secretariat Road that traverses Eyo Ulliong- Edikor- Uduetta in Udung Uko Local Government area with spurs of about 3 kilometres. The first time a road is being constructed in that area since its creation over 25 years ago.
Major roads are indeed opening up and connecting the neighbouring local government areas of the federal constituency, indicating that in Governor Emmanuel’s Completion Agenda, Oron is a critical priority.
