By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Towards the Akwa Ibom State Government’s efforts to check the perennial traffic and encourage business activities in the state, a 9.5km 10-Lane Ring Road 3 with underground drainage covering 5.4km has been commissioned in Uyo.
Constructed by an indigenous engineering firm, Hensek Integrated Services, the road which links three major roads of Nwaniba, Oron and Aka in Uyo, the state capital is named after the former Military Administrator of the state, late Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga and former Governor of erstwhile Cross River State, late Dr Clement Isong.
Inaugurating the Road on Thursday, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar described it as another master-piece projects in the state, not found anywhere else in Nigeria except in Abuja, the federal capital city.
Atiku, who was represented by Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji
Ahmadu Fintiri, lauded the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for his foresight in making Akwa Ibom an investment hubs for investors.
“With gratitude to Almighty God and on behalf of the Presidential Candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, I am here to inaugurate the road built by your Governor for the good people of Akwa Ibom state.
“We are grateful for the governor’s foresight in making Akwa Ibom the hub for aviation, hub for health, hub for infrastructure even in agriculture.
Noting that PDP governors lead others follow, he said, “We have good and capable leaders and stakeholders in this party that can take you to desired nation. I congratulate the governor for the giant strides and this will attract investors to Akwa Ibom. I thank you and the almighty God that I’m part of history and be the one to Inaugurate this project in Akwa Ibom.
Assuring Akwa Ibom people and indeed Nigerians of a resolved to lift Nigeria up from the shackles of bad leadership and governance, Governor Fintiri said that the PDP Presidential’s Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has promised to unify Nigeria from North to the South.
He pointed out that in the last seven years, Nigeria under All Progressives Congress, (APC) leadership has become a home to all vices in the world with man made problems.
Governor Fintiri called on the people of the state and Nigerians at large to vote for PDP in the 2023 elections to correct the ills in the nation and put it in the right position in the comity of nations.
He also called on everybody to come together and unify the country, so that the nation can come out of its problem, saying Nigerians are tired of what is happening in this country.
In his speech, the Akwa Ibom state sovernor, Mr Udom Emmanuel commended the people and the entire community for the support in the construction of the road.
He said that the 9.5km 10-Lane Ring of 36 metres wide with underground drainage was a deliberate effort of his administration to do a world-class infrastructure in the state, proof critics wrong and answer questions to several blackmails.
“We purposely fixed the commissioning this time so that you will see the true colours for the delight of the people.
“I want to make a special announcement, we are standing at the centre, to the left is named after my former DG, the late Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, (rtd) the first indigenous governor of Akwa Ibom.
“To the right is named after the former governor of erstwhile Cross River State, Late (Dr) Clement Isong. I thank our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, ably represented by the governor of Adamawa, Governor Fintiri,” Governor Emmanuel said at Oron road axis, where the commission stone was laid.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, commended Governor Udom Emmanuel on his achievements.
“We are here to commission 9.5kms of 10 lanes, and if you multiply 9.5 by 10 you will have about 95kms road and you know what that means. My brother, Mr Udom Emmanuel has done well, from aviation, infrastructure, capital human development to education to health, virtually in everything.
“I say congratulations to Udom Emmanuel. As you are winding up, may God Almighty strenhgten you, may you provide a desired leadership to our campaign council for us to win convincingly and return PDP to Aso Rock, February 2023,” he stated.
On his part, former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, said he was glad that to become a part of history, saying the performance of Governor Udom Emmanuel was a testimony to what the PDP governors can do.
“I feel so proud because I remember in February 2019, you invited me for another project, a project that many did not believe in, that was the commissioning of Ibom Airline. Today it is a success.
“I commend you and the people of Akwa Ibom as you celebrate 35 years, it is a great honour to be apart of your programmes. I am not surprised at your performance.
“The people of Nigeria cannot be surprised too because you are a PDP governor. You are telling Nigerians what PDP can do and what they are doing in the state.
“Nigerians, you do not need to speak anymore. If you want a performing country, let the PDP lead the way. Governor Udom, I am proud of you and what you have done,” he stated.
