Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has commissioned the N3.8 billion Inyere Flyover Bridge in Afikpo South local government area of the state linking Ebonyi State to Abia, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
Jonathan also commissioned the 23.5km Amasiri/Owutu, Ekoli/Nguzu Road constructed by the Ebonyi State government in conjunction with the Afikpo North and Afikpo South local government areas of the state.
The former president who arrived the President Muhammadu Buhari International Airport Onueke Ezza North local government area was accompanied to the state by his wife, Mrs Patience Jonathan.
Commissioning the project, Jonathan commended Governor David Umahi for embarking on the laudable project adding that the project remains one of the landmark achievements of his administration.
Jonathan also commended the governor for naming the flyover bridge after him.
Earlier, Umahi said he was touched to embark on the project following the number of deaths recorded at the valley.
In an interview, the immediate past chairman of Afikpo South local government area, Barr. Eni Uduma Chima, said that annually, a total number of 96 deaths were recorded at the valley before the construction of the flyover by the Umahi administration.
Eni said the flyover will not only save the lives of Ebonyi people but people from Abia, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states adding that the road remains the shortest link road to the three sister states.
He said the road was a death trap and nightmare to road users especially those travelling to Arochukwu, Ohafia and Abiriba in Abia State pointing out that while climbing the bridge, a good number of vehicles usually lose control on the bridge, fall inside the gully while several persons lost their lives.
He said that the reduction of the high peak slop of the hill up to five percent slope has brought succour to the road users and thanked Umahi for rescuing the people of Edda.
