By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday commissioned the 23.4km Eket-Etinan dual carriageway in Akwa Ibom even as he has lauded the efforts of Governor Udom Emmanuel in building a model state.
The dual-carriage way which has three bridges and traversed through four Local Councils is said to be the longest road ever constructed by the administration of Emmanuel.
Obasanjo who acknowledged the Governor’s strides in the development of Akwa Ibom State however urged the him to take a short break and return to continue his active contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria and Africa.
“Every occasion here is a new project. I have come here to commission projects more than any other state in Nigeria. You have made the whole Akwa Ibom better than you met it. You have demonstrated capacity and credibility and I have no doubt that your successor would build on the legacies you have left behind.
“I am happy that God has answered your prayers. You started well and you are finishing well. But note that, comparatively, you are still a young man, so take a short break and return, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria and Africa still expect a lot from you. We will squeeze the best out of you.” He stated.
Obasanjo advised the people of the state to take advantage of the roads and other projects executed by the Governor for enhanced economic activities and livelihood.
Emmanuel in his speech said the project commissioning was in line with his promise to remain committed, focused and dedicated to his service to the state and its people till his last day in office.
His listed other projects to be commissioned before his exit from office to include the second runway at Ibom International Airport, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Hanger, the new Terminal Building, and the official residence of the Chief Judge of the state.
“This project is special in the sense that we are also trying to show that we are highly focused, we are also trying to show that we dedicated and committed to what we took an oath of office for.
“We are also trying to make the whole world know that when we say we are going to work till the late day before we hand over the batton to the next governor who will run a marathon race as if he is running a hundred metres race, because there are still a whole lot of projects, some at 90, some at 95, some at 80, that I am sure within his first hundred days in office, he would tidy them up.
“Not only roads, we have hospitals, power, education that we need to commission. I want to let you also know, even on May 29, before I get to the stadium, I would commission the official residence of the Chief Judge of this state. Before now, the Chief Judge has never gotten an official residence.
“If you go to the airport now, I think I have the full assurance that we can commission that second runway before I leave the office. The MRO is also ready, we are waiting for the tooling and the equipment. But if the equipment is not in before May 29, we will still commission the MRO.” The Governor stated.
On his part, the Commissioner of Works, Prof Eno Ibanga said the road project which was constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), was in line with international standards
“This road is 23.4km, 8 metres on each lane which has 2.74amp and we have a medium barrier across the length. On the average, we have 300mm laterite sub-base, 200mm cross asphalt, plus 60mm binders course and 50mm wearing course.
“The nature of this road is that any load that transverses residence road, it can carry and meets all international standards. This road as we see, has drains from the beginning to the end so that we can have flood control along the stretch of the road. As you stand, wherever you go, when ever rain comes, it flows out.” Ibanga stated.
