People of Ebonyi State have been urged to support the federal government’s initiative of constructing a bridge across Ndibe Beach in Afikpo local government area to link Ebonyi with Cross River State.
Governor Francis Nwifuru made the call Friday when the people of Afikpo paid him a Christmas homage in his hometown, Oferekpe, Agbaja in Izzi local government area of the state.
Nwifuru, who drummed support for President Tinubu’s infrastructural development across the nation further urged Ebonyi people to always support and pray for his predecessor and Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi to actualize the bridge and its connecting roads which he maintained would boost commercial activities across the zones.
He maintained that the federal government’s takeover of the bridge project as an adjoining part of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway, one of the legacy projects of Tinubu’s administration, was enough reason to throw support for the Minister and the administration of President Tinubu.
Governor Nwifuru who strengthened his resolve to continue to advance road constructions and other infrastructural provisions across the state, warned contractors given jobs in the state to justify the confidence reposed in them by being diligent, dedicated and responsible in the execution of the contracts.
He emphasized that part of his reasons for using local contractors in most jobs in the state was to nurture local content, empower citizens and cut the rate of capital flight from the State.
He cautioned that any contractor found wanting would risk losing both the contract and the money already spent on the job, and may end up in jail.
The visitors which cut across party lines included National Assembly members from Afikpo, traditional rulers, past and present government appointees, youths and women, among other groups.
The people were led in the visit by the Afikpo local government area Chairman, Timothy Nwachi.
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Recall that a team of engineers from a construction company, CGC Nigeria Limited in February, visited the site at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Works preparatory to commencement of work on the project.
Leader of the team, Sam Liu, during the site tour disclosed that his company had concluded arrangements with the Federal Ministry of Works on the construction of the Bridge and the roads from Amuro Roundabout, Afikpo to the Beach and promised to deliver the project in accordance with contractual agreement and job specifications for the benefit of end users.
Meanwhile, residents in the state have expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in commencement of work at the site, calling on federal government to match its words with action.
Some indigene of Ndibe area of Afikpo, Nnamdi Okocha and Beatrice Uroh, who spoke to our correspondent on phone confirmed that no work is ongoing at the site, adding that there are no equipment indicating readiness to commence work.
Okocha said: “As of now, there’s no work going on there, unless they just started.
“May be I will have to recheck but I’m sure that nothing is currently going on there.”
“The government has wetted our appetite, and it won’t speak good if they fail to match their words with action.”
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