Tension is brewing in Calabar South Local Government Area following Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr's decision to rename Idang Street after his grandfather, Etinyin Ekpenyong Oniong, without consulting local residents or authorities.
The unilateral action by the senator, who represents Cross River Southern Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has sparked outrage among community members and the local government leadership who claim they were completely sidelined in the decision-making process.
Government Officials Condemn Action
Cross River State Commissioner for Works, Pius Ankpo, has described the senator's action as "deceptive and unfair," emphasizing that it was inappropriate for the lawmaker to rename the street without proper consultation.
Adding his voice to the controversy, Orok Duke, a former state lawmaker and current Cross River representative on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board, commended the Calabar South Council leadership for opposing the senator's action.
"Only half of the street has been completed. Renaming it to 'Etinyin Ekpenyong Oniong' without consulting local residents sparked anger and division in the community," Duke told journalists.
Controversy Over Road Projects
The street renaming controversy comes amid separate allegations regarding road projects in Calabar. Duke refuted claims that the Nyanghasang community road project was facilitated and executed by the Senate committee on NDDC.
He criticized attempts by some federal lawmakers to take undue credit for state-led projects, describing it as a tactic to "siphon public funds and mislead constituents."
"Some individuals from the Senate came in, hurriedly asphalted a section of the road, and tried to claim ownership to divert funds," Duke alleged.
As of press time, Senator Ekpenyong Jr had not responded to the allegations or addressed the community's concerns about the street renaming.
The situation highlights growing tensions between federal lawmakers and local communities over development projects and decision-making processes in Cross River State.
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