The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has delivered the Afi Market Project in Ikom II State Constituency, translating the needs identified through a constituency assessment exercise into a practical intervention aimed at improving trading conditions and supporting grassroots economic development.
The project, facilitated and completed by the Speaker, followed consultations conducted by a Constituency Needs Assessment Team established to engage residents, evaluate existing infrastructure and identify priority projects capable of delivering direct and sustainable benefits to the people.
The assessment was designed to ensure that constituency projects reflected the actual needs of residents, particularly interventions that would improve livelihoods, support local businesses and address infrastructure challenges affecting economic activities.
Before the intervention, residents of Afi had faced difficulties conducting commercial activities in a conducive environment, with traders reportedly exposed to harsh weather conditions, including intense sunshine and rainfall.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the village head, Chief Etta Ekawor, expressed appreciation to Ayambem for delivering the project, describing it as a blessing that would improve the fortunes of the people.
“This project is a miracle and a blessing to our community. For years, our people have faced difficulties conducting their businesses under the sun and in the rain. We are grateful to the Speaker for listening to our needs and responding with this intervention,” Ekawor said.
He noted that the project would provide relief to traders and improve the conditions under which residents buy and sell, while expressing hope that it would contribute to increased commercial activities in the community.
In his remarks, Speaker Ayambem thanked the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for his continued support for people-oriented initiatives and development projects across rural communities.
He also expressed appreciation to the people of Afi for their patience, cooperation and continued support for his leadership, emphasising the importance of sustained engagement with constituents in determining development priorities.
Ayambem explained that the constituency needs assessment was established to give residents an opportunity to identify their most pressing challenges and help guide the selection of projects that would have direct and lasting effects on their lives.
The Speaker’s approach places community consultation at the centre of constituency development, ensuring that project selection is informed by the needs expressed by residents rather than assumptions about their priorities.
He was accompanied to the commissioning by the member representing Yala I State Constituency, Hon. Brian Odey; the Vice Chairman of Ikom Local Government Area, Hon. Maurice Ndome; and the Assistant Financial Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Hon. Akanya Agbor.
Other stakeholders present included the former Vice Chairman of Ikom Local Government Area, Hon. Asinya Ntan; the Community Relations Officer, Hon. Abang Neji; and other stakeholders from Nde Ward.
