Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has promised to complete the interchange bridge otherwise known as Spaghetti Flyover around Odukpani Junction linking Ikom-Calabar Highway and Calabar-Itu Road before he exits office on May 29.
Ayade made the pledge during a tour of the projects on Monday in Calabar, the state capital.
He said the perennial gridlock experienced by motorists and commuters on the ever-busy Odukpani Junction, which serves as the artery into Calabar from the central and northern parts of the state as well as Uyo, would soon be over.
The governor said the construction of the flyover and the first phase of the superhighway, which will serve as a bye-pass, is at a moment on the completion phase.
Ayade commended the indigenous contractors handling the project for doing an excellent job, stressing that the firms can compete favourably with their foreign counterparts.
He said, “Elections are over and we are back to work fully. Here, we are starting at the phase one section which is ready for asphalting.
“This flyover is intended to bypass the Odukpani Junction which is a real nightmare for commuters. It takes you straight and empties you into the Odukpani axis of the Calabar-Itu Road onward Uyo and Port Harcourt.
“This road has been a nightmare to commuters but it will soon be a thing of the past because the flyover and the dual carriage road constructed by our administration have been done from Calabar up to the point where we are to ease the troubles motorists have been facing.
“The project will be ready for commissioning before l leave office, an indication that we are committed to finishing strong, What is interesting is that the majority of our contractors are locals. This contract is being handled by Faithplant owned by a very hardworking young Cross Riverian and we are working with Zecca, another competent indigenous construction company.
“So, this is a special message for Nigerians: indigenous contractors are as good as foreign contractors. All that is required is to award them the contract in the same sum you award to foreign contractors,” Ayade said.
