The Coalition of Igbo Elders (CIE) has commended President Goodluck Jonathan over the recent flag-off of work the Second Niger Bridge and his assurances that the funding for the project had been seamlessly worked out.

CIE in a statement issued yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital, by its Chairman, Chief Julius Onyebuchi, said the South-East and, indeed the entire Nigerians, would remember President Jonathan for embarking on the critical Second Niger Bridge, noting that while others played politics with it, only Jonathan that had shown true and genuine commitment to the project.

The group also commended immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi, for what it called his unrelenting efforts towards ensuring that contract for the bridge was awarded and work on it flagged-off before he left office on March 17.

CIE recalled the upgrade of Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu, to international status and the commencement of full operations therein, as well as massive upgrade of infrastructure in the place. It assured Jonathan of the support of South-Easterners, especially towards the realisation of his second term bid.

CIE, however, appealed to Jonathan to consider an Igbo man to head the Customs or Prisons, arguing that it is not good for “zone balancing” that Igbos are not heading any security agency or paramilitary organisation.

According to the group, “It is on record that it was under President Goodluck Jonathan that Igbos were integrated into Nigeria after the civil war, for which we remain grateful. We shall thankfully remember him for appointing the first Igbo man to head the army after the civil war. Since these people have retired, we also appeal to him to look for competent Igbos to head the Customs or Prisons as a further way of reassuring us that his is out to promote justice and equity at all times. On our own part, we assure him of 98% votes of our people when the chips are down.”

•Photo shows President Jonathan (right) and ex-Governor Peter Obi