Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
UYO, AKWA IBOM — Tension and frustration are mounting among residents of Akwa Ibom State as the condition of urban roads, including key routes leading to Itam Park, deteriorates amid preparations for an upcoming official visit by Governor Umo Eno. Motorists and commuters in the state capital have criticised the government’s handling of public infrastructure, highlighting potholes, flooding and general neglect that they say make travel difficult and unsafe.
Across Uyo, long stretches of road have fallen into disrepair less than a year after repairs, forcing drivers to manoeuvre around deep potholes and exposed surfaces that damage vehicles and slow traffic. Commuters say the problem is especially noticeable on major thoroughfares that link residential and commercial districts to places like Itam Park, which many residents expected to be accessible for public use and tourism but now require urgent attention. The return of extensive potholes across several road networks has sparked widespread online complaints about the quality of road maintenance and the longevity of recent repairs.
The public discontent comes amid broader criticism of Uyo’s crumbling infrastructure. Recent reporting on the state capital’s urban decay highlighted broken roads, dead public fountains and deteriorating public spaces that many residents once took pride in but now lament as signs of neglect. Many citizens argue that infrastructure decay persists despite significant state revenues, and they say that improvements should be prioritised ahead of high-profile visits by government officials.
In social media posts and community forums, residents have linked the poor condition of roads to daily hardships — from damaged vehicle suspension systems to increased travel times and safety risks during rainfall, when surface water obscures road hazards. Some commentators have emphasised that such challenges go beyond cosmetic concerns, noting that inadequate infrastructure can impede access to essential services and affect economic activities in neighbourhoods outside the capital, particularly where connections to major attractions like Itam Park are vital for local businesses.
These frustrations align with wider regional concerns about public infrastructure in Nigeria’s South-South, where deteriorating federal and state roads have repeatedly drawn calls for urgent intervention. For example, neighbouring Cross River State’s governor earlier described the Uyo–Odukpani federal highway as an “economic emergency”, stressing how road degradation negatively impacts commerce and connectivity across state lines.
While the Akwa Ibom State Government has occasionally responded to criticism by attributing delayed work to seasonal rainfall and assuring residents that repairs are underway, many citizens feel these explanations fall short of addressing the scale of decay they encounter on a daily basis. Public observers have urged authorities to match budget claims of road expansion and rehabilitation with visible improvements on the ground, especially ahead of official events that draw attention to the state.
As the governor’s visit to Itam Park approaches, residents say they hope the spotlight will prompt durable solutions to long-standing infrastructure issues rather than temporary fixes for ceremonial occasions. Many argue that sustained road rehabilitation and maintenance would not only improve safety and mobility but also reaffirm government commitment to the welfare of everyday commuters across Akwa Ibom State.
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