Power Outage, deplorable Mbube – Irruan road: Utugwang Nation, appeals to Gov. Otu for urgent intervention

By David Odama

The Utugwang Nation comprising eight clans, in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, has passionately appealed to Governor Bassey Otu, the electricity distribution company and other elected representatives to urgently address the total power outage being experienced by the community.

According to residents, the community which has been without electricity for more than two years, is faced with economic and insecurity challenges , making it difficult for homes and businesses to operate effectively.

Similarly, the major access road linking Utugwang via the home town of the Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi has been in a deplorable and inaccessible situation, worsened by the heavy rains this season.

“No government has given this road any attention for more than two decades now”.

Traders and artisans have lamented that the absence of power supply is severely affecting business and related market activities, while many are counting losses as perishable food items continue to spoil due to the inability to preserve them.

Expressing the frustration over the prolonged situation, National President of Utugwang Solidarity Group, Professor Moses Agana, said the call and the appeal has become imperative because of the untold hardship, increased insecurity, and other challenges facing the people .

“We therefore want to call on the Governor of Cross River State, our elected representatives, and other appropriate agencies to intervene without further delay to restore stable electricity supply and ease the hardship being experienced in the area.

“The community hopes swift action will be taken to prevent further economic losses and improve the living conditions of residents”.

“It’s disheartening to note that Utugwang Nation which shares boundary with Benue State to the North, Boki Local Government to the South and Bekwarra to the west with a population of over 700,000 out of about 5 million is surviving without electricity, adequate portable water supply, inaccessible rural roads and other social amenities.

“Strangers who came to live among us are packing and leaving. Businesses that feed families are shutting their doors. Houses that once rang with laughter now stand empty.

“We are not asking for charity. We are asking to be seen. We are asking our leaders and fathers, those who carry the responsibility of this nation to look at Utugwang Nation and feel the shame of what we have been reduced to.

“To every leader, every representative, every father with influence we are on our knees appealing to you. act now. before there is nothing left to save our people”

Speaking further, Prof. Agana, also challenged the illustrious sons and Daughters of Utugwang Nation to rise to the urgent need for the restoration of the community culture, values and tradition which he said was fast disappearing.

“We owe it a duty to our generation yet unborn to preserve our culture, tradition and values fast going into extinsion. We must stand up and change the narrative for the benefit of our people”, the University Don declared.