Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed optimism that the newly commissioned Toru-Ebeni bridge will help in opening up the hinterland in Bayelsa State as well as boost commercial activity in the area.
Jonathan, who made this remark during the commissioning of the bridge on Tuesday, recalled that the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former governor of the state, conceived the idea of the project but he started the construction which the present administration completed.
He said his administration saw the project as a priority which would alleviate the sufferings of the people living in the riverine communities of Bayelsa Central and West as well as helping people of Ekeremor who will no longer travel through Bomadi to their communities.
Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Uche Secondus,described the quality of the bridge as comparable to the best anywhere in the world.
Secondus noted that the state governor, Seriake Dickson, has achieved a lot for the state interms of high quality projects which, he said, would attract massive votes for his re-election.
On his part, Dickson pointed out that due to the former president’s commitment to infrastructural development of the state, he decided to complete the bridge projects for him to commission.
He expressed delight that the contractors, Setraco and CCECC, were able to complete both projects in record time, stressing that he is committed to building more of such bridges and other infrastructural facilities in the state id re-elected.
His words: “I am fulfilled for the completion and commissioning of the two bridges. The former president was committed to the development of infrastructure in the state. I want to remind you that the Ekoli and Toru-Ebeni bridges were initiated by him.
That is why the commissioning of the Toru-Ebeni bridge project was reserved for Dr. Jonathan as a mark of honour for him”.
