By CHARLES IWUOHA

The magnificent Ebonyi flyover bridge, named after the immediate past Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev Fr Michael Nnachi Okoro, has been commissioned for public use.

The 26.5 span flyover, second longest in the state, after the Iyere bridge is located at the vulnerable Murtala Muhammed Layout junction, along Abakaliki – Afikpo highway.

The Bishop himself cut the inauguration tape and unveiled the inauguration plaque Monday evening in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

Addressing the crowd of Ebonyi people gathered for the event, Governor Umahi extolled the Bishop’s character and invaluable contributions to peace and development of the state.

Umahi described the Bishop as a mediator and a pillar of Christianity in the entire Igbo land, stressing that naming the flyover after the Bishop was the least his administration could do.

“From the time I started coming to Ebonyi from Port Harcourt, when I was doing business, the name of our father, the Bishop, has been a household name.

“We have so many reasons to remember you, and those are the reasons we are immortalizing you.

“You have worked so hard for the development of Christianity, not just in Ebonyi State but in the entire Igbo land.

“You are a man of great peace; a man who is given to unity.

“In all the administrations, you were and still is a mediator.”

Umahi taunted those alleging that his administration embarks on white elephant projects, stressing that the safety of all Ebonyi people is of utmost priority to his administration.

His words: “Some people said we are building white elephant projects.

“That can only be said in Ebonyi State, but outside the State, Ebonyi is the epitome of what the Nigeria nation deserves.

“One life of an Ebonyi person is worth more than ten flyovers because you don’t know what that person is destined to be.

“These flyovers are meant to save lives, and we are happy that this particular one, one of the longest after Iyere bridge is named after our father who so deserves it.”

Governor Umahi also named the dualised road from the flyover to the Camp David Estate, Centenary City, Abakaliki after the Bishop.

The State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ogbonnaya Obasi Abara, remarking on the project, regretted huge loss of lives hitherto recorded at the junction, and appreciated Governor Umahi for remedying the ugly situation through the flyover.

According to Abara, the junction in the past, had recorded a single road crash which claimed up to 40 lives and more.

Other projects commissioned same evening were the 18km Okposi Umuoghara – Ebiaji – Achiagu road in Ezza North Local government area inaugurated by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, and the Divine Mandate twin road leading to the Ecumenical Centre and the Shopping Mall on one side and from Muhammadu Buhari light tunnel to Chi Boy bus stop on the other side commissioned by Pastor Eunice Oyeyemi.

Igwe, while cutting the inauguration tape of the Umuoghara – Ebiaji road, commended Governor Umahi for embarking on many life-touching projects across the State. He noted that the road is a gateway to and from Ezza land.

Speaking on the importance of the road, the Chairman of Ezza North Local government area, Moses Ogodoali Nome, stated that it leads to the State Quarry Clusters which is one of the economic base of the state.

While conveying the people’s goodwill to the Governor, Nome said the road has eased vehicular movement to the area which was before now, hard to access.

Oyeyemi, while commissioning the Divine Mandate roads, dedicated the commissioned projects to God.

The events were attended by Deputy Governor, Governor Elect, Deputy Governor Elect, Elders Council, traditional rulers, Executive Council members, local government chairmen, Councillors and All Progressives Congress leaders and supporters in the state, among others.