By Our Correspondent
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan today commissioned the multi-billion 6.8 kilometers Airport Bypass road with an interchange bridge named after the President in Calabar.
Speaking at the brief ceremony prior to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, the President eulogized Governor Liyel Imoke for his leadership style saying that he was an iconic symbol of good representation of the party.
According to Jonathan, “This is a great story which symbolizes the vision of PDP, to create an environment that will stimulate and help people in commerce, industry and social integration. For the government and people to notice that they need a bypass from the airport to divert traffic and decongest the city is indeed an exhibition of visionary leadership.
“On behalf of my party, the PDP we thank you very sincerely for representing us well here in the state. Let me at this point assure you that we will work with the state to ensure that more of these kinds of amenities are attracted to the state.”
On the naming of the road after him, the President said: “I want to thank you very sincerely for immortalizing me with the naming of this all important road after me. I pray that the day I will leave office, I will leave enough footprints that people will use in remembering me.”
He described Cross River as Nigeria’s entertainment center that has carved a niche for itself in the area of tourism adding that, “I’m glad to be in Cross River State, a state that is entertaining Nigerians. That was why I selected your own, Chief Edem Duke to come and handle tourism at the center because we saw what he was doing in Cross River.”
Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke who could not hide his excitement at having the President commission the road, said: “Today, we have the privilege of you commissioning one of our very many projects by the grace of God in the state. It is an airport bypass road designed to decongest traffic in our city center. It is constructed through a swampy area. Construction started in 2011 and we are glad to complete this 6.8 kilometers road with an interchange bridge and have you commissioned it.”
According to Imoke, “This road will amongst others lead to the creation of a new development area which we are complementing with the needed infrastructure. We named the road after you because of what you represent to Cross River State.”
Imoke pointed out that the President’s visit was no doubt a home coming and that the government and the people of the state were happy to identify with him.