By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Miffed by activities of some paid jobbers who go about destroying campaign billboards of political opponents in parts of the country, former President Goodluck Jonathan has described them as pathogens that decompose the nation’s democracy.
Former President Jonathan spoke on Monday in Akwa Ibom while comissioning a 1.15km Afi-Uko Nteghe Bridge in Mbo local government area of the state
He called on the security agents to take steps to arrest the unfortunate situation by investigating and bring perpetrators to book.
Recalled recently in Akwa Ibom state, billboards belongings to the governorship candidate of Young Progressives Party (YPP), Senator Bassey Akpan were reportedly destroyed in major cities of the state by vandals working for their masters in opposition party.
The former President in his words, said, “We have noticed a level of bitterness in our politics that does not bring development. And I plead with politicians that politics is about marketing your ideas. Politics is not about fighting, insulting, and it is not about abusing.
Those miscreants destroying billboards are patrogens and viruses decomposing Nigerians democracy.
“But in all these I believe the security agents have a lot to do. I believe whoever commits a crime should not be covered under politics. Arson is Arson and so whoever commits a crime, burn houses and kill people the record must be kept and whenever the investigation is completed such people must be prosecuted that is the only way people will stop doing this.
“But if people commit criminal offenses and walk away, of course other people will be encouraged to do same. So security agencies in Nigeria have a lot to do, they must not spare any criminal.” He said.
Meanwhile, former President Jonathan, has inaugurated a 1.15km Afi-Uko Ntighe Bridge along the 19km Etebi – Enwang Road recently completed by Governor Udom Emmanuel to link Mbo and Esit Eket local government areas of the State.
Recall that the bridge project, said to have been awarded to a British Construction Company headed by Engr Fidelis Cobbs in 1949 and considered the fourth largest in Nigeria had enjoyed massive publicity by the last administration in the state, but was however left uncompleted.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan applauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for consistently delivering well structured growth promoting projects in the state.
Jonathan who was in the state in company of his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, said it takes someone with total commitment to improving the lives of the people to embark on a project of such magnitude.
“A Bridge is very very useful to riverine dwellers. This is visionary leadership that gives substantial evidence of well structured growth promoting leadership.
“Your strategic development plans have continued to deliver great dividends to the development of this great state. You have delivered several projects, built many bridges, but this is a flagship project.
“It takes someone with total commitment to improving the lives of the people to embark on this. Your projects have direct impacts on the lives of the people in remarkable ways. Your award as Governor with best economic blueprint was befitting.
“This is the third time I am coming to Akwa Ibom to commission a project. This must be one of the longest bridges in West Africa. Let me also commend the people of this community for cooperating with the construction team.
“You build both economic, human and social bridges. People like you are the stars and heroes of our democracy. You work hard to ensure that democracy produces good fruits for the people, we need more people like you”. He said
The former President of Nigeria therefore urged whoever would emerge next governor of the state to effectively follow the footprints of Governor Emmanuel.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Udom Emmanuel said the completion of the bridge was in fulfillment of his electioneering promise to open up riverine communities in state.
The Governor returned all glory to God for the enablement to impact on the lives of people and communities across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.
He thanked members of the community for the support shown throughout the duration of the construction and assured Akwa Ibom people that no amount of blackmail would distract him from his avowed commitment to continue to drive the state in a path of rapid industrial growth.
Explaining components of the bridge, the Commissioner, Ministry of Works and Fire Service in the state, Prof Eno Ibanga said the bridge is 1.15km, longest in South south, longest ever commissioned by any state government in the country and sits on 212 piles with a minimum depth of 30meters,
segmented into 52 spans of 22.5m each and the spans sit on 408 precast beams, with an impressive lifespan.
On his part, the Managing Director of AMITEC Construction Company, Aiman Saimua said the company was awarded the project four years ago but the COVID-19 pandemic caused a delay in the project which was completed two weeks behind schedule.
Saimua commended Governor Emmanuel for providing the funds required for the project and the community for their support, saying without it, they would not have been able to complete the project.
Secretary to State Government and indigene of the community, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem in his welcome remarks said the bridge has created a major gateway for industrial revolution in the state.
“The bridge will enable Ibom industrial city to be approached, Ibom solution hub, Forward Operation Base, Dakada Global Oil. This is a part of the rapid industrialization agenda of the governor. Longest bridge in south south Nigeria”. He said.
In their goodwill messages, the National Presidents; Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo fnipr, and the Catholic Archbishop of Calabar, Most Rev Dr Joseph Ekuwem all commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his remarkable strides in Akwa Ibom State.
