For meaningful economic growth, trade and commerce should move freely and unhindered between near and distant communities and people. In addition, the time of such movement is also of essence. Why? Because our economy being at the rudimentary stage, most of our production are on the speculative stage. Thus the hotelier in Oron who has an order to supply salad at a wedding and other function over the weekend depends on the wholesalers/retailers in Uyo to meet such order. The motor mechanic and other artisans depend on Uyo, Aba and other nearby towns for parts and other items they need for the satisfaction of the demands of their customers. Some workers (blue or white collar) find it more convenient to reside in Oron and commute to and from Uyo. The fish mongers -fresh or dry, who depend on Oron and nearby outlets for their supplies need to have unhindered movements to and from these areas.
These movements benefit directly the transporters and indirectly all who live on these routes to Oron and environs. These movements generate economic benefits to all the partakers. It is sad therefore that the security operatives, police and army, choose this vital Oron to Uyo Road link to disrupt the above listed economic activities.
The distance between Uyo and Oron is a mere 46 kilometers. Right from the first Ring Road Junction on the Uyo to Oron Road, one sees the first police check-point, with the Policemen/Army personnel flagging motorists, especially the commercial drivers, to stop. It is here the illegal extortion of twenty naira and above starts. Between here and Oron town, there are at least 10 check-points. This figure usually goes up on market days to fifteen. This scenario degenerates to a ridiculous extent on such days between Uya Oron Junction and Oron town. On this distance of 4.8km the commercial drivers must pay “toll gate fees” at 3 check-points (an average of one check-point per 1 km).
As if these woes to Oron bound commercial motorists was not enough, two new entrants have entered this illegal business. At the last house in Ndon Ebom on Uyo Oron Road, the Oduma Security Force sometimes stay and menacingly stop commercial drivers. They unashamedly direct these drivers to their 'oga' who sits in the tax payers-purchased-utility Jeep to collect monies before allowing them free passage.
The second entrant is a few meters away within the proposed airport confine. We were at first told these were Airport Security operatives but what they do now is station themselves at the end of the round-about to extort monies from these hapless motorists. Worried by this unnecessary and illegal disturbance on Oron economy, I asked a police officer why we have to have so many checkpoints on this economically vital road link. His answer that “Oron being a town on international border, these security personnel were needed to check illegal entry”, did not wash. Between Oron town and Uyo there are the alternative roads of Oron Eket Uyo and Oron Nsie Nsit atai Ndon Ebom Uyo which are not only convenient for illegal immigrants but car thieves. But on these alternative roads you will not see any checkpoint. Why?
The reason is that the volume and regularity of traffic on these alternative roads is not heavy enough to encourage the setting up of check-points. Why wouldn't they set up check-points along the Esuk Inwang Road which is also convenient for car thieves to use? Ok, let's grant that these check points are for the protection of the lives and properties of honest road users. How come the licenses of the drivers, the road worthiness of most of the rickety vehicles are never questioned, the contents of the vehicles never searched nor did the identity of the passengers who may appear as likely illegal immigrants never crossed check. “These check points are illegal”, so says the Inspector General of police. Why then are they there and even increase in number by the day?
In calling on the government of Akwa Ibom state to rein in the excesses of Oduma. It was set up to secure the lives and properties of the people and not to mount illegal check points for the collection of money neither from motorists nor to be used by landlords to eject stubborn tenants.
Our caring governor should call these security operatives to order and save Oron people from further downward slide into economic doldrums. I call on the Inspector General of Police to as a matter of urgency, remove these road blocks and save Oron people from avoidable economic burden. Or in the alternative post them along Uyo- Ndon Ebom Esuk Inwang Okopedi Road or Uyo Nsit Atai Eyubia Oron Roads if the issue of checkpoints cannot be done away with. But for Christ's sake, remove them from the Uyo Oron Road. Oron people can no longer bear the extra cost on their econ
omic endeavours due to the presence of these men on this road. Remember the saying that “when maize can no longer tolerate heat from the fire it makes its feeling known to the fire by bursting”. We have had it to our chin.

By Prince Bassey Isong -Sect. Gen. Oron Union