A’Ibom govt decries vandalization of high-profile equipment

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State Road and other Infrastructural Maintenance Agency, AKROIMA, has condemned the vandalisation of tractors and other 15 equipment of the state government valued over billions of naira.

The chairman of the Agency, Dr Godwin Ntukudeh, said this on Thursday while conducting the executive members of the Civil Liberties Organisation led by the chairman, Franklyn Isong to road projects rehabilitated by the agency in the state.

Ntukudeh, who showed the CLO team some of the vandalized machines such as pay loaders, compactor, mixer. excavator, asphalt machine, among others, regretted that, the vandalization has affected the pace of work and output in the field, noting that the agency is compelled to hire equipment at exorbitant rate to do most of the road projects.

According to him, two suspects, who happened to be workers in the yard have been arrested in connection to the vandalism saying that they would soon be charged.

He added that some of the vandalized machines will be auctioned as scraps after necessary approvals have been made hinting that they were making arrangements to acquire asphalt machine and other machines which can not only enhance work speed but would generate revenue to the State.

Ntukudeh who said security had been beefed up to forestall another of such incident urged the public to ensure that government properties are protected.

“It is condemnable that most of our equipment in the yard have been vandalised by hoodlums. All this equipment you see over there are like carcass, nothing is inside. No engine, tyres, and other things. Some persons who work in the yard connived with outsiders to perpetrate the act, two persons have been arrested and investigations are still ongoing.

“This incident has caused us a lot of revamp. We make use of few available ones and hire others especially if the ones we have break down to meet our timeline.”

On road rehabilitation and interventions, Ntukudeh said there is hardly any local government in the State that has not experienced about three to four rural roads graded by the agency with the aim of opening up bush tracks wide enough to allow for access to rural agricultural produce.

Ntukudeh who said he had lost count of the number of roads intervened so far, said his agency would not relent on its assigned duties, reassuring that even amidst the rainfalls in the State, the agency must deliver on its mandate.

“Rainy season is here, nobody should be afraid because we have consulted on how to arrest potholes during the rainy seasons. So, whether under the Sun or the rains, there are different solutions to apply and all of them we have. This will add up to the completion agenda of governor Udom Emmanuel who has provided us with the platform to achieve this.” He said

He also said the agency has been able to intervene in Federal roads and lay asphalts on the road which would stand the test of time such as the East West road , Eket-Oron road which became a great relief to motorists and people living around the area .

He however wondered why the federal government would direct States to stop intervention on federal roads noting that some States can provide infrastructural facility to their people without necessarily waiting for federal government funds.

“You cannot see people who want to help you say no, some States can keep moving until you return the money even after the administration. The main beneficiaries of these infrastructures are the people which is Paramount.” He said.

In his remarks, the CLO State chairman expressed satisfaction over the level of work by the agency and urged them not to rest on their oars but to move into more local governments outside Uyo and suburbs.

The Chairman who urged the youths to protect government properties commended Gov. Udom Emmanuel for giving the agency free hands to achieve this feat.