Former President Goodluck Jonathan has praised Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, describing him as a wonder worker for erecting the nation’s longest bridge.
The declaration was made by the former president at the dedication of the bridge in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The 1.15-kilometre-long bridge, which connects Mbo LGA with Esit Eket LGA, provides access to riverine communities in Okobo, Mbo, and Esit-Eket LGAs as well as to the homes and business hubs of the Ibom Industrial City, Liberty Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, Ibom Deep Seaport, Dakkada Global Oil, Ibom Solutions Hub, and the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) located on the shorelines of the Atlantic Ocean.
Johnathan said: “What I see whenever I visit Akwa Ibom State is substantial evidence of a well structured growth-promoting projects in the last seven and half years. I commend the Governor and his team very sincerely for this visionary leadership.”
He further described the development strides in Akwa Ibom under Governor Udom as “great and remarkable,” adding that Udom is the “enabler of economic growth” in Akwa Ibom through several projects.
He said the bridge is not only a “flagship project”, adding: “The unique thing about this bridge is that it is the longest bridge in Nigeria ever built by a state government” and it takes someone with a total commitment to the improvement of the wellbeing and quality of life of his people to embark on this type of project that I am seeing here today.
“He (Udom) is a leader whose significant developmental strides have given hope and confidence to our democracy.
“He is a young, innovative, peace-loving and committed nation builder, the type that helps to cement the fibres of our unity and make our diversity more profitable and desirable. People like Udom Emmanuel are the stars and heroes of our democracy. We need people like Udom Emmanuel to ensure that our democracy does not derail,” Goodluck Jonathan concluded.
