January 14, (THEWILL) – All is set for former President Goodluck Jonathan, to inaugurate the 1.15km Afi-Uko Ntighe bridge project executed by Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Scheduled for Monday, January 16, for commissioning, the bridge is among over 40 bridges constructed by Governor Emmanuel’s administration across the 31 Local Government Areas in the state, as part of its completion agenda.
The Special Assistant to Governor Emmanuel on Research and Documentation, Mr Essien Ndueso, disclosed this at the weekend while conducting newsmen around the project site, nothing that the bridge has been proven as the fourth longest in Nigeria, and the longest built by a State Government in the country.
According to him, the bridge is part of a 19km road constructed by the Governor from Mbo Local Government to Etebi in Esit Eket Local Government Area, with a spur to Unyenge in Mbo.
He said the Afi-Uko Ntighe bridge was initiated by former Governor, Godswill Akpabio’s administration but later abandoned in 2014.
“This bridge, as you all know, was initiated by the former Governor, Godswill Akpabio, in 2008. Since then, it has been a sad story of neglect and poor contractual disposition to agreements.
“The bridge was only 35 percent executed when Governor Udom Emmanuel, took over office in 2015. The Governor, in 2018, had to get a contractor that specialises in Bridge construction – AMITEC.
“Now, this project is completed. Former President Goodluck Jonathan will commission this bridge on Monday, 16 January 2023”.
Essien stated that the bridge has both social and economic impacts on residents of the area as they will carry their goods, which are mainly seafoods, to different parts of the state.
The Governor’s aide, flanked by his colleagues, Aniefiok Macauley and Engr. Solomon Eyo, noted that Governor Emmanuel has refused to play politics with projects, hence his decision to complete the project.
“In other climes, Governors declare public holidays to commission mere 1km roads, but here, Governor Emmanuel has silently completed a bridge as long as this, on a 19km road.”
The second bridge on the road, measuring 195m, was earlier constructed by the previous administration while the entire road was at 55 percent completion when the administration of Mr Emmanuel assumed office in 2015.
The Chief Executive Officer of the contracting firm, Aiman Saimua, said the bridge, which has a 1.5m walkway on both sides, is also 11m wide and is decorated with streetlights.
He added that the bridge is bound to last for a lifetime and commended the Governor for showing so much passion and dedication to the cause of his people and explained that despite the rising cost of infrastructure, the Governor never hesitated in assisting them to complete the project.
About the Author
