By Barth Ozah
The Senior Special Assistance SSA, to the Delta State Governor on Communication and Orientation, Prince Obaro Unuafe has underscored the importance of construction of the ongoing flyover bridge at the Koka junction on the Asaba-Onitsha expressway.
He said the flyover will ease the gridlock on both sides of the busy road and restore orderliness as well as save lives with the construction of an interchange describing it as a catalyst for economic activity in Asaba and its environ.
In a chat with journalists in his office at Asaba, the Delta State capital, Prince Obaro decried the criticism that initially trailed the project from the opposition elements saying their criticism was borne out of ignorance and hatred.
According to him, “Before governor Okowa started the project, he wrote for an approval from the federal ministry of works who gave the specifications and every stages of the job the federal ministry officials will be on ground to assess the ongoing construction until completion.
“So what is the hullabaloo from the opposition elements? The project has just started and someone who supposed to be in the know is busy criticising the project. The project is conceived to ease the flow of traffic and as well connect with the second Niger bridge.”
Continuing; “Have you ever imagine the economic benefits and most importantly, the number of lives that will be saved. When completed, commuters from Asaba to Onitsha would just drive under the bridge without having to make U.turn at the junction, while those going to Onitsha directly from Agbor axis or vice versa will drive without bottleneck.
“And of course there will be a boom in the economic activities, as there will be buying and selling and other commercial activities. So, you will have a sort of new community of commerce, it is going to be a wonderful project and add colour to the environment.
“This is the time for the Asagba-in-Council and entire Asaba community to lead a thank you delegation to the state governor for his social economic transformation of Asaba.”
The SSA noted that in constructing the flyover bridge, the government has taken into consideration, the type of vehicles that ply the road, including heavy-duty vehicles, adding that the CCECC is the contractor for the multi-billion naira project expected to be completed before the end of the administration.