The Cross River government says its decision on an urban renewal drive across the three senatorial districts of the state will further the development agenda and discourage rural-urban migration.

Pius Edet, commissioner for works and infrastructure, made this known in an interview with journalists in Calabar on Sunday.

According to him, the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration is presently carrying out urban renewal in Ikom, Ugep, and Ogoja Local Government areas of the state.

He added that the process kick-started with the construction and rehabilitation of internal roads in the areas.

Mr Edet said that Calabar was also receiving the attention of the state government as part of efforts to restore the city to its lost glory.

”As for the Calabar metropolis, we have worked on major roads across the city and also the roundabouts.

”These are meant not only to improve traffic but also the aesthetic beauty of the city,” he said.

The commissioner also announced plans to construct four flyover bridges in Calabar and other cities as part of efforts to control traffic in the state.

He said that the flyovers would be sited in Calabar and Ikom local government areas of the state.

”Since time immemorial, we have been having issues with traffic control in some areas in Calabar and Ikom. The volume of traffic in these spots and their position have led to the loss of lives and properties.

”To put an end to this, the government will construct a flyover at MCC and Mobil by Highway and Effio Ette Junction both in Calabar. Another flyover will be sited at the popular Four Corners, Ikom,” he said.

The commissioner said that no fewer than 200 km of roads had been constructed by the Otu-led administration within the last year.

Mr Edet, who bemoaned the state of federal roads in Cross River, said that the state government had resolved to improve some of the roads to make life easy for its citizenry.

According to him, the governor has shown leadership in a bid to ensure comfort for the people of the state and the development of the state.

”The governor hit the ground running by quickly embarking on roads that have made life unbearable for the people.

”While the government embarked on the rehabilitation of some roads, new ones are also being constructed across the three senatorial districts. Bridges are not left behind on this ambitious project.

”It should be noted that some of these roads and bridges have been left abandoned for 25 to 40 years,” he said.

He said the state was ready to partner with the federal government to rehab federal roads and bridges.

”We know the enormous responsibilities of the federal government across the 36 states, but if they are ready for partnership in the area of roads and bridges, we will not hesitate also.

”But we can’t wait for them and allow our people to continually suffer because of the poor state of federal roads,” Mr Edet said.

He also said that the 365-km rail line—a flagship project of Mr Otu’s administration in the state—would be completed within his tenure.

”This rail line that will link the capital city to Obudu will not be abandoned as being insinuated; it will be completed and inaugurated by this government,” he said.

(NAN)