The traveling public along the nightmarish Calabar-Itu Highway, a federal road connecting Akwa Ibom State and its mother state, Cross River, will now catch their breath as ferry services are emerging to wipe away their tears.
With effect from this December, Ibom City Ferries says it will commence scheduled ferry service from Oron, in Akwa Ibom State to Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
Managing Director of Ibom City Ferries, Larinde Williams, says the service is expected to change the landscape of travel in the state.
Continuing, Williams said that to further the commitment to help promote water transportation in the state as an effective, fast and safe alternative to road transportation, Ibom City Ferries is commencing its ferry operations from Oron to Calabar this December.
He explained that the company will be deploying a 50-seater passenger ferry, complete with modern facilities, i.e. Wifi, air condition, phone charging ports, toilet and bar,
The service which will run daily between Oron and Calabar, will also include scheduled tour services from Le Meridien Marina to Calabar which will help improve travel and tourism between Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers.
With the development, marine investors in the two states appear to be waking up to the challenge facing commuters from both states travelling through the Calabar Itu federal highway.
For over15 years, travelling along the 45 year-old road has been a nightmare to commuters, with some spending hours or sleeping on the road.
Many burials, wedding, traditional marriages and other appointments have been cancelled or postponed as the main actors are caught up in the perennial congestion along the road.
Many lives have been lost along the road with professors from the University of Calabar topping the list of notable personalities who died on the road.
It seems, the Federal Government has been paying lip service to the rehabiltation or reconstruction of the road. Instead, contractors are usually mobilised to the road as each general election approaches.
Before the deplorable condition of the road, the journey from Calabar to Uyo which is about 100 kilometres used to take an hour. But today, the fastest record when there is no traffic congestion is four hour.
The road is littered with broken down trucks as craters dot every kilometre of the highway which has unleashed heavy economic toll on the two states and commuters using the road.
In the meantime, DMOI Smooth Travels, operators of Cally Express has announced that the company is also set to commence operations this December to commemorate the yuletide season.
Chief Operating Officer of DMOI, Michael Odiong, says “the need to create a convenient, safe and secure water transportation system cannot be overemphasized. It is our own way of creating a positive impact on the economies of both states, providing employment, increasing wealth and creating a healthier environment by reducing pollution, and take off the pressure from both state governments.
‘’We are creating a safer alternative to reduce the time spent on the road by commuters and reignite the perennial relationship that the two states shared on the water ways’’, explaining that this is a PPP venture with the Cross River State Government to help ease the transportation problem experienced by indigenes of both states.
‘’We are committed to a great service delivery and fun experience for commuters. This seeks to provide employment for the citizenry, create awareness and increase activities of small and medium scale businesses’’, Odiong adds.
According to him, ‘’to further prove our commitment, our team has held meetings with host communities on the coastal route to fashion out modalities for cooperation. We have also built our own jetty in both states with a fully functional car park, security, and an air-conditioned waiting room.
‘’Our booking App will be functional by January 2022. Our jetty is located at Obutong beach in Calabar which is five minutes away from Watt market and 15 minutes from the airport while our Uyo jetty is at Ifiayong, Nwaniba, 10 minutes from Ibom plaza.’’
The company is set to commence operation with its inaugural ride from December 7.
