Calabar–Itu federal highway declared national emergency as lawmakers decry slow pace and poor quality. FG urged to intervene on critical transport link

Calabar–Itu federal highway has officially been declared a national emergency by members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works, following an inspection that exposed the appalling condition and sluggish progress of the road reconstruction.

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During a visit on Monday to the Cross River section of the highway, lawmakers expressed shock over the state of the road, which serves as a key economic artery connecting Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Abia states.

The highway is vital for the transportation of goods and agricultural produce between the South-South and South-East regions.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akinola Alabi, said the inspection revealed a troubling lack of capacity among some contractors and raised concerns over the decision to switch the project design from asphalt to concrete.

“Even the portions already completed in concrete are not impressive,” Alabi said. “Not all contractors can handle concrete roads. In exception, HITECH has not done badly with its assigned section.”

He criticised the overall pace of the work and pledged that the Joint Committee would hold a public hearing to summon all parties involved — including contractors, officials from the Ministry of Works, and the Minister himself — to provide full accountability.

“We need a national emergency on this road. As a parliament, we will invite every contractor, the ministry, controllers, zonal directors, and the minister himself. This road is a lifeline between Cross River and other parts of the South-South,” Alabi stated.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South Senatorial District, recalled raising a motion in the Senate after a tragic incident where a pregnant woman gave birth inside a car trapped in gridlock along the same highway.

“This oversight visit is long overdue. That incident was a wake-up call. The Calabar–Itu federal highway cannot be ignored any longer,” he said, adding that he had received assurances of Federal Government intervention to accelerate the project’s completion.

The committee’s remarks have added to growing public frustration, as motorists and local communities continue to endure unsafe conditions, heavy traffic, and economic disruption due to the road’s disrepair.

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As the Calabar–Itu federal highway continues to deteriorate, calls are mounting for immediate federal action to avoid further hardship and prevent potential tragedies on one of southern Nigeria’s most critical infrastructure links.

Calabar–Itu federal highway

Calabar–Itu federal highway