For over 20 years, the Ikom–Obudu road has existed more in government promises than in reality: announced, budgeted, awarded, and yet repeatedly abandoned. Today, despite fresh assurances, new contracts, and renewed political attention, the highway remains largely broken, raising urgent questions about accountability and delivery.
At the centre of the latest developments is Hon. Victor Abang, the federal lawmaker representing Ikom/Boki, whose role in securing the road’s inclusion in the 2026 federal budget has now placed him squarely in the spotlight as constituents demand visible results.
Budget Victory Without Results on Ground
Hon. Abang had confirmed that the 115km Ikom–Obudu Federal Highway was successfully captured in the 2026 federal budget following engagements with the Ministry of Works and other stakeholders. The development was widely welcomed across the constituency, with many seeing it as a turning point after years of neglect.
However, months after the announcement, findings show that there is little to no evidence of active construction across major sections of the road. What was celebrated as a breakthrough is now being questioned as another cycle of promises without execution.
For residents, the issue is no longer about whether the road is in the budget—but why that inclusion has not translated into real work on ground.
Contracts Awarded, Contractors Absent
Investigations confirm that contracts were awarded for key sections of the road, including the Ikom–Wula–Obudu and Ikom–Ogoja–Gakem axes. Yet, despite these approvals, contractors have failed to mobilize meaningfully to site.
There are no signs of sustained engineering activity, no heavy machinery in operation, and no clear indication that construction has commenced at scale.
This lack of progress has triggered frustration among lawmakers, with calls already emerging for contract revocation if delays persist. For the people directly affected, however, attention is shifting to what concrete follow-up actions have been taken to ensure these contractors deliver.
Abandoned Sections and Lingering Concerns
Compounding the situation is the case of previously awarded sections handled by Leophina Works Limited. The company reportedly received funds for parts of the Ikom–Wula–Obudu stretch but failed to complete the work, leaving critical portions of the road in disrepair.
This has reinforced a long-standing perception among locals that the road has become a recurring project—awarded, funded, and abandoned in cycles—without full delivery.
Federal Response Yet to Translate Into Action
Following growing pressure, the Federal Ministry of Works ordered an on-the-spot assessment of the road to determine immediate and long-term solutions. The move was seen as a step toward addressing the crisis.
However, weeks after the directive, there is still no visible large-scale intervention on the ground, raising concerns that the response may not go beyond administrative procedures.
State Government Steps In—But Scale Remains Small
On its part, the Cross River State Government approved emergency repairs on a 10km stretch of the road earlier in the year. While the intervention was acknowledged, many stakeholders argue that it is far too limited compared to the extent of deterioration across the entire highway.
The state has continued engagements with federal authorities, but the pace of progress remains slow.
A Tale of Two Roads
In contrast, work has resumed on the Ikom–Etomi–Agbokim road, a project that had been abandoned for over a decade. The renewed activity there has only intensified questions about why the more critical Ikom–Obudu road remains stalled.
The difference in progress between the two projects has become a major talking point among residents and observers.
Growing Pressure on Representation
With the road now officially budgeted and contracts already awarded, public attention has shifted toward implementation—and toward the lawmaker who facilitated its inclusion.
Across Ikom and Boki, constituents are asking direct questions:
What mechanisms are in place to ensure contractors mobilize?
What timelines have been secured for execution?
What actions will be taken if delays continue?
For many, securing budget inclusion was only the first step. Delivering actual construction is now seen as the true measure of representation.
Human and Economic Toll
The continued delay has had serious consequences:
Frequent accidents and loss of lives
Increased cost of transportation
Limited access to markets and essential services
Economic slowdown in affected communities
Recent youth protests across parts of the constituency reflect growing frustration, with many describing the road as both a death trap and a symbol of failed accountability.
The Accountability Question
The Ikom–Obudu road presents a familiar but troubling pattern:
Funds acknowledged
Contracts awarded
Work yet to begin
The challenge now lies not in announcements, but in enforcement. Without firm action to compel contractor performance or revoke failing contracts, the project risks remaining stalled indefinitely.
The Defining Moment
For Hon. Victor Abang, the situation represents a defining moment. Having played a key role in securing the road’s place in the national budget, expectations are now firmly on ensuring that the project moves from paper to pavement.
As pressure builds, the road is no longer just an infrastructure project—it has become a test of leadership, oversight, and accountability.
The Unanswered Question
If the road has been funded, approved, and contracted, one question continues to echo across communities:
What exactly is stopping construction from starting?
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