BY: Our Reporter, Calabar
In an era of dwindling revenues to all tiers of government, some creative and innovative governance leaders are manifesting the popular cliche of thinking out of the box.
One such leader is the Chairman of Abi Local Government Council in Cross River State, Hon. Amb. Farathor Robinson Riman. It is not hidden that he had his doubters after his election as Chairman over two years ago, but gradually he has won many of them over with his significant and impactful achievements in office.
Some months ago, during the celebrations marking the second year of uninterrupted peace in the Bahumono group of villages in his Local Government Area, the Chairman promised the people that he will attend to the most pressing developmental challenge of the people which is the Bahumono Ring Road that links all the communities in the Bahumono nation.
By the way, Hon. Robinson played a crucial role in the achievement of peace in Bahumono. So when pictures and confirmation reached the people that indeed the Chairman has commenced repair works on the road, the people erupted in joyful celebrations across the various communities.
For proper context, the Bahumono ring road stretches from Anong-Ediba-Usumutong-Ebijakara-Ebom-Bazohure-Igonigoni-Afafanyi-Abeugo and back to Ediba. The road is unmotorable during the rainy season. Even in the dry season, it is almost impassable with low vehicles, thus commuters have only the option of using motorcycles with the attendant risks of accidents. This has made the movement of persons and goods very difficult, thus almost cutting off the people from the rest of the world. With this came the resultant economic hardship for the people, who are primarily farmers.
The road works commenced on Sunday 4th, December, 2022. In the Chairman’s own words “our plan is to grade, cut, fill and compact sections of the roads that have collapsed. We shall also create proper drainage channels where needed. We shall do this across the whole stretch of the road to the end. We want our people to travel with ease in and out of their communities, especially during this Christmas season”. Very reassuring words from a man who is determined to leave a positive mark, against all odds.
The various groups in Bahumono including the Tradition Council, the Youth Council, the Women Association, the elites and even the political class have poured commendations on the Chairman. They unanimously enjoined him to see the works through to the end and write his name in gold in the annals of Bahumono history.
