By SUNDAY BASSEY

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria, on Monday inaugurated the fourth longest bridge in the country with a total length of 1.15 kilo metres.

Jonathan, in his speech during the inauguration at Afi Uko Nteghe along Etebi Enwang road in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, said that the bridge would improve the economic activities of the people.

He noted that the project is one of the longest bridges in West Africa and the length of the bridge is so nice even at the night.

“Gov. Emmanuel had delivered several projects and built many bridges but this particular bridge, I am commissioning today, is a flagship project.

“It is the fourth longest bridge in the country and the longest bridge ever built by a state government.

“It takes somebody with total commitment to improve the quality of life of the people and to embark on such projects,” Jonathan said.

He explained that Gov. Emmanuel’s strategic plan had delivered great dividends of democracy to the people of Akwa Ibom.

“We are here to commission a special projects which is designed to promote economic growth and improve the life of the people,” Jonathan said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bridge was executed by Gov. Emmanuel, in Mbo, and has been described as the fourth longest in Nigeria.

In his remarks, Gov. Emmanuel said he has satisfied his conscience with his achievements across the state.

He added that despite criticisms and the falsehood peddled against his government, he had tried not to be distracted.

Emmanuel commended the community for supporting the construction of the project, noting that, the project confirms his promise to open up the riverine areas.

He said “I said in my second term that we are going to open up the riverine areas. In Nigeria today, I think we are very few in terms of governors who can have 31 local government areas and development touching 31 local government areas simultaneously.

“There is no local government out of 31 which can say that this administration has not touched or there is not an ongoing life-touching project in the area.

“This is the only place a subnational is signing a signature in the sky, on the land, in the water.

“Today, if I had gotten the support of the Federal Government, we would have gone far in this area. This is where the industrial hub for the future Nigeria lies,” Emmanuel said.

Prof. Eno Ibanga, Commissioner for Works, said that the length of the bridge was 1,150m, comprising 52 spans of 22.5m each.

NAN reports that the project was abandoned until Gov. Emmanuel re-awarded it in 2018 to Amitec Construction Company and completed it. (NAN)

Update news