Umahi test runs Transahara flyover in Abakaliki

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has led members of the state Executive Council to drive across one of the three flyover bridges on the Transahara Expressway in Abakaliki.
An obviously overjoyed Umahi told a crowd that gathered to witness the historic event that another flyover would be constructed next year at the Nkalagu junction, Nkalagu in Ishielu Local Government Area.
The reason, he said was to end accidents on that section of the ever-busy transahara highway.
He said, “Few days ago, we lost one of our very key supporters at Nkalagu junction and that place has been taking away lives. And so, next year, we will end the lives that that place is taking. We will.
“So we have three flyovers waiting for us to start- one at Vanco junction, one at the Water Works junction and then this one that is going to be at Nkalagu junction.”
He explained that apart from saving the lives of Ebonyi residents and travellers, the flyovers were to enhance the aesthetics of the state capital and announce to the world that Ebonyians had arrived. He added a city is judged by its infrastructural development and maintained that his administration’s efforts to transform the state had brought back confidence to Ebonyi people.
A statement by Umahi’s Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, on Thursday quoted the governor as saying: “When you come to a town, you evaluate it by its level of infrastructure. We came in the volume of books that are written of us to do the will of God.One of God’s will is to lift up this state that Ebonyians like they are doing now will beat their chests anywhere and say we are Ebonyi people.”
“Through the special grace of God and hardwork of our Exco members and our government of course, the House of Assembly and the Judiciary , we have been able to restore the confidence, the dignity, the integrity and the honesty of an Ebonyi people.”
The governor noted that the flyovers, when completed, would be the best in Africa.
He extolled the Commissioner for Works, Engr.Fidelis Nweze for being steadfast in actualizing the developmental dreams of the state.
“Let me assure you that after the decoration of these flyovers, you may not see it any where in Africa. Honestly, I’m very proud of Engr. Nweze, the commissioner for Works. I’m very proud of him,” he said.
Earlier, Engr. Nweze had commended the governor for the near completion of the Akanu Ibiam flyover within eight months.
He said that the flyover was open for use to allow compacting of earth fill. pointing out that finishing touches would continue while it remained open for traffic.
” The first phase of the seven span bridge about 110 meters was completed within eight months. It is the first of its kind in Nigeria. We can ride on both sides. Nigerians can now begin to drive on this flyover. They can begin to use it. The essence is that it will help to compact the earth fill and allow us time to do other things. By January, we can begin to lay the stone base and asphalt it.”