Utugwang Nation Appeals to Gov. Otu Over Power Outage, Failed Mbube-Irruan Road
Community Says Two-Year Power Outage, Poor Roads Threaten Businesses, Security and Livelihoods
By Our Reporter
OBUDU, CROSS RIVER STATE — The Utugwang Nation, comprising eight clans in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, has appealed to Governor Bassey Otu, the electricity distribution company and other relevant authorities to urgently intervene in the prolonged power outage and deplorable condition of the Mbube-Irruan road linking the community.
Residents said the community has been without electricity for more than two years, a situation they said has adversely affected economic activities, increased hardship and heightened security concerns.
The residents also expressed concern over the deplorable condition of the major access road linking Utugwang through the hometown of the Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi.
According to the residents, the road has remained largely inaccessible, particularly during the rainy season, with heavy rainfall further worsening its condition.
They lamented that successive governments have failed to give the road adequate attention for more than two decades.
Traders, artisans and other business owners said the prolonged electricity outage has severely affected their livelihoods, with many recording losses as perishable food items spoil due to the lack of electricity for preservation.
Speaking on the situation, the National President of the Utugwang Solidarity Group, Professor Moses Agana, said the appeal for urgent intervention had become necessary because of the hardship, insecurity and economic difficulties confronting the people.
Prof. Agana called on Governor Otu, elected representatives and relevant government agencies to act without further delay to restore stable electricity supply and rehabilitate the road.
He said the community, which shares boundaries with Benue State to the north, Boki Local Government Area to the south and Bekwarra to the west, was facing serious infrastructural deficits despite its large population.
According to him, Utugwang, with an estimated population of over 700,000 people, is still struggling with inadequate electricity, potable water, accessible rural roads and other basic 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,” Agana said.
He stressed that the people were not asking for charity but were demanding urgent attention from government and community leaders.
“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,” he said.
The university don appealed to political leaders, elected representatives and influential indigenes of the area to intervene before the situation deteriorates further.
“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,” he added.
Prof. Agana also challenged the sons and daughters of Utugwang Nation to rise to the occasion by supporting efforts aimed at preserving the community's culture, values and traditions, which he said were gradually disappearing.
He urged the people to take collective responsibility for safeguarding their heritage for future generations.
“We owe it a duty to our generation yet unborn to preserve our culture, tradition and values fast going into extinction.
We must stand up and change the narrative for the benefit of our people,” the university don declared.
