Boat passengers traveling from Calabar in Cross River State to Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, have complained that the transportation prices have skyrocketed very high.
It is assumed that the astronomical growth is attributable to increased passenger travel on that water route as a result of the poor quality of the Calabar-Uyo federal highway in recent years.
Boat services have reportedly increased, with more visitors to Akwa Ibom, Abia, and neighboring states using watercraft services as a result of the deplorable state of the Calabar-Uyo federal highway, as well as rising crime on the seas, particularly around the Calabar/Marina beach, Oron beach, Creek Town, and Adiabo beaches.
Priscilla Akpan and Fidelis Umoh, two low-income travelers traveling to Uyo via the Oron river, revealed that the rates had been increased.
They claim that a travel from Calabar to Oron in Akwa Ibom State, for example, has increased from 3,000 to 6,000.
Umoh stated that a ferry to Creek Town or Adiabo beaches, a few communities away from Calabar, costs between 3,000 and 4,000 depending on the time of day. This varies between 1,000 and 2,000 originally charged passengers.
He said,
“Cargo ferries charge extra fares for loads. Passengers accessing Okurikang, and adjoining areas by water pay more from the Adiabo or Creek Town beaches as they are compelled to use a motorcycle.
“The distance between Adiabo or Creek Town beaches to Okurikang is about 200 kilometres and motorcycle owners charge between ₦1000 to ₦1,500.”
Reliable sources disclosed that the State Government might contemplate fixing the Adiabo Bridge which was abandoned many years ago during late General Sani Abacha regime in order to ease the difficulty experienced by commuters on the deplorable Calabar-Itu federal highway.
Another government source hinted that Governor Bassey Otu may have commenced discussions with relevant authorities and contractors to fix the Adiabo Bridge so as to divert the heavy traffic on the Calabar-Uyo highway from the Tinapa/Adiabo axis.
According to road users, commuters/passengers have suffered losses in unquantifiable terms along the highway each day with many motorists and passengers spending longer hours and days before getting to their destination.
Criminal activities have also been reported to be on the increase on the deplorable Odukpani axis of the Calabar-Uyo federal highway.