Residents of Ikot Nte community in Southern Iman, Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have renewed calls for urgent government intervention over worsening infrastructure, particularly the long-abandoned Ikot Ibok–Ikot Nte–Mbioto Two Road.
The community says years of neglect have left the critical access road in a deplorable condition, cutting off residents from essential services and economic opportunities.
At a town square meeting for the Etinan–Nsit Ibom–Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency held on August 22, 2025, key stakeholders — including federal lawmaker Obong Paul Ekpo, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Uko Essien Udom (SAN), State Assembly member Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, and Etinan Council Chairman Uko Umoh — jointly endorsed a needs assessment document presented to Governor Umo Eno.
The document identified several priority projects, including the reconstruction of the Ikot Ibok–Ikot Nte–Mbioto Two Road, which is expected to feature a 15-metre bridge to boost economic activity. Other proposed projects include the Ikot Nte–Ikot Umiange Ede Road and the Efa–Ikot Ese–Ikot Ibok–Ikot Mfon–Ndiya (Nsit Ubium LGA) Road, which will include a 120-metre bridge.
Despite these commitments, residents say there has been little visible progress.
Speaking with XL News, a former youth leader, James Ekpo, described the situation as dire.
“The road is just about 3.7 kilometres from Etinan town, but it feels like a journey cut off from the rest of the world. People cannot easily access markets or healthcare. It has completely limited our growth and opportunities,” he said.
Youth leader of Ikot Nte, Imoette Inyangudo, alongside resident Samuel Sunday, stressed that fixing the road would significantly improve access to education and healthcare.
“If this road is fixed, everything changes—movement, schooling, health services. This is our biggest challenge,” they said.
During an earlier visit to the community, Acting Village Head, Obong Joshua Amos, and members of the village council acknowledged that residents have repeatedly taken matters into their own hands. Through the Ikot Nte USA World Forum and contributions from locals, millions of naira have been raised over the years to grade the road during the dry season.
However, these efforts offer only temporary relief.
“With the rains, everything is washed away. The road returns to gullies and becomes almost impassable,” a community leader explained.
Residents are now urging the Akwa Ibom State Government to prioritise the reconstruction of the road and deliver on previously identified infrastructure needs, warning that continued neglect could further isolate the community and stifle development.
Keywords: Ikot Nte road, Etinan LGA infrastructure, Akwa Ibom road projects, rural development Nigeria, abandoned roads Etinan, Ikot Ibok Ikot Nte Mbioto Road.
