ENUGU – President Goodluck Jonathan has inaugurated the 240 kilometre Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Junction-Ikom-Mfum-Cameroun boarder road built at a cost of N30.93 billion.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jonathan said that the project was in line with the road resuscitation programme of his administration’s transformation agenda.
Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, said that the road would help to improve trade relations between Nigeria and Cameroun.
According to him, the road will also promote veritable economic corridor between the two countries.
“This is part of my administrations’ commitment toward making life easy for the people,’’ he said.
In his speech, Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State said that the completion of the road was a landmark achievement which would bring economic development to the South-East.
Chime, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Works, Mr Goddy Madueke, said that the road would enhance transportation of food to various communities, local government areas and states in the area.
“This is a historic event. In Enugu State, we have constructed over 700 kilometres of roads in the urban and rural areas.
“We believe in the Federal Government’s transformation agenda, especially infrastructure.
“We will continue to support the Federal Government in its development strides,’’ Chime said.
In a welcome address, the Minister of State for Works, Mr Adebayo Adeyeye, said that the construction of the road commenced in 2010.
He said that the road was a World Bank and African Development Bank-assisted project, adding that the banks also supported the construction of a new bridge at the cost of N600 million.
Some residents in the state, who spoke with newsmen commended the Federal Government for the completion of the road.