Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has declared the Nkpor Bridge on the Onitsha – Enugu Expressway that was sliced in two by devastating gully erosion finally ready to use by commuters.

Declaring the road open to commuters on Monday at Nkpor, Governor Obiano observed that it took barely a month to seal up the huge gully carved out by erosion during the rainy season, cutting the road into two and praised the construction company that handled the repairs for delivering the job on schedule.

According to him, with the completion of repair works on Nkpor Bridge, the Okija axis of the Onitsha – Owerri Road and a section of the 33-Road that leads to Kogi State, the Federal Government is now indebted to Anambra State to the tune of N30bn that accrued as refunds.

“I am using this opportunity to ask the federal government to help us with the refund because we need a lot of money to do other projects that we have on our hands. I’m happy that some reconciliation has been done between us and the federal ministry of works. I am looking forward to help from the federal government for the massive funds we have injected in the repair of federal roads. That will go a long way in helping with what we are doing in Anambra State,” Governor Obiano explained.

Also speaking at the Okija axis of the Onitsha – Owerri Road that was split by big gully erosion, Governor expressed happiness that with the repair works completed ahead of the heavy traffic expected at Christmas, commuters would be saved the suffering that would have resulted from the bad spot, pointing out that it was a major road that links Anambra to Imo, Abia and Rivers states.

The governor also used the opportunity of the road tour to perform a symbolic crossing of the 280m Aguleri Otu Bridge on the 48km road that leads to the Oil Fields of Aguleri. Speaking on top of the newly completed bridge, Governor Obiano revealed that it connects seven different communities to the mainland of Aguleri and the rest of the state.

“It is the longest bridge ever built by Anambra State. It links seven communities. Ezi Agulu Otu, Enugu Otu, Isiokpo Otu, Iyiora Anam, Umuoba, Orient Petroleum and Aguleri Uno. This bridge was started in February. I am very happy that this is happening. This is the first time any government in Anambra State is remembering the people of this area. And this bridge will go a long way in opening up this area to ensure that the food they produce gets to the market,” the governor said.

Speaking further, Governor Obiano observed that the “bridge will carry the load of a lot of heavy duty trucks that will be conveying petroleum products to different parts of the country. So, this is a very important bridge and I am very happy that CCC did a very good job in completing this bridge in record time. It is a very important and strategic thrust by my administration because this area is very agro-rich, oil-rich and gas rich.”

•Photo shows the rebuilt Nkpor Bridge.

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