Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on Saturday flagged off reconstruction of the Nkpor/New Parts Market flyover at Nkpor near Onitsha which is near collapse following a serious erosion threat.
Obiano said that he had obtained permission from the Federal Government to reconstruct the bridge with state money with a promise of reimbursement later.
According to him: “This is the fifth time I have been here. The first time I came here, I told the Federal Government. I spoke to the Vice President and he gave me verbal permission to spend state money and he assured me I will be reimbursed later.
“Federal Government is already owing Anambra N25 billion on federal road work. I plead to the federal government to pay this. Added to what I have spent on other roads including this, the amount has now risen to N27 billion. But the N25 billion is certified”.
He, however, pleaded with the federal government to reimburse the state of N25 billion already spent on federal roads. He said that altogether, the state government has spent N27 billion on federal roads but the N25 billion requested for had been certified.
He said that the construction company handling the project has assured him that it would be ready by the second week of December.
He also said that the deplorable portions of the Expressway between Awkuzu and Umunya will be given palliative before Christmas.
He said that he had made several representations to the federal government on the road before now.
He also said that the three flyovers being constructed at Awka would be put to public use by December.
At the project site, the President of Eastern Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (EMATA), Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo, thanked Obiano for coming to the rescue of the road as it is the major artery which carries people from the West and North.
Ezenwankwo urged traders to cooperate with the governor and pay their taxes and levies to help it raise money to continue work.
Also, the traditional ruler of Nteje, Igwe Roland Odegbo, pleaded with the federal government to repay the state monies spent on rehabilitation of federal roads so as to help the state do more.
Daily Independent
