Buhari inaugurates multi billion naira Ikom bridge in Cross River
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
With less than a week to the expiration of his eight years tenure, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday virtually commissioned the 1.2km Ikom Bridge.
The new bridge which is worth about 10 billion naira is located on a major South- North arterial highway and replaces the adjourning old Ikom bridge which was made of steel.
Buhari stated that the project will boost economic prosperity of Nigerians adding that recommendation for construction of the new bridge was done by the National planning Commission some years ago.
He added that the new bridge arises from the headroom inadequacy of existing bridge and the need to cater for heavy duty truck along the project corridor as well as enable Calabar seaport, airport and free trade zone to be fully functional and accessible to traffic.
In his remarks, the Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade who spoke through the state Commissioner for Works, Engr. Dane Osim Asu, stated that federal government has 13 trunks A roads in the state and has rehabilitated 9 roads leaving out the remaining 4 that are deplorable.
The state governor appealed to the federal government to give a listening ear and come to the aid of the state as bad roads have crippled economic activities in the state.
