Former Nigerian ambassador Assam criticizes road conditions in Eket
In the Nigerian city of Eket, former Nigerian ambassador to Russia Assam Assam said that there are almost no roads in the urban part of Eket, despite reports by the Akwa Ibom state authorities about road projects. Assam, who headed Governor Umo Eno’s election campaign in 2023, called on the authorities to pay more attention to road infrastructure.
As Premium Times Nigeria reports, Assam made the statement during a meeting with media workers from the Eket federal constituency at his home in Eket. A video of the meeting was published on Facebook, but it is unknown when it was recorded.
Criticism of the road network
Assam said that the government should be more visible in developing Eket’s road network. He mentioned a 5.67 km road corridor that starts from Atabong Bridge, passes through RCC, crosses the Eket—Oron Road and leads to Afaha Ukwa Road, the state secondary school and the Marina area. According to him, the route is used by both community residents and people from outside it.
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At the same time, his criticism concerned urban Eket specifically, rather than the entire Eket local government area. In June, Channels TV reported that Governor Eno inaugurated 4.8 km of roads in the area: 2.4 km of the Ikot Akpa Ikpo—Urua Udo Inyang Road and 2.4 km of internal roads in Mkpok Estate. According to the broadcaster, the governor also spoke about the construction of approximately 38 km of roads in Eket and plans for another 12 km.
Budget allocations
Akwa Ibom State’s 2026 budget allocated 3.85 billion naira for various road projects in Eket. The funds are planned, in particular, for the Ikot Akpa Ikpo—Urua Udo Inyang, Afaha Atai—Eko Ikwa, Iseiridua—Afaha Atai, Idung Imoh and Ndue Eduo—Ikot Akpaenang roads, as well as streets, intersections and road infrastructure in the city.
The publication notes that some projects included in the 2026 budget had not yet been started at the time the article was prepared. A budget allocation in itself does not mean that work has already begun or that the funds have been fully transferred or spent. Separately, 200 million naira was allocated for the reconstruction of the 3.3 km Idua Road, although the governor inaugurated this road on May 4, 2024. Despite his criticism, Assam urged residents and officials to support the governor, stressing the considerable workload of the authorities.
