Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki
The Traditional Ruler representing Izzi Local Government Area in Lagos, His Royal Highness, Cyprian Nwekee has joy over the construction of the 5-span Enyim bridge in Enyim community, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State which he said claimed the life of an illustrious son of the community.
Narrating the ugly incident to journalists in his Iziogo community, Izzi Local Government Area of the state noted that many people lost their lives trying to transport their agricultural products to the markets in Benue State.
“There is one of my boys, a successful farmer. He was into massive yam, cassava, rice, potatoes and other crops cultivation. He was an illustrious son of this community. He was making millions in those crops.
But one of the days he tried to cross the Enyim river to sell his farm produce, he had already crossed the Enyim River with Canoe and was crossing someone when the boat capsized and that’s how he lost his life.
He commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for the bold initiative to construct the bridge which is the boundary between the people of Enyim in Ebonyi State and Oju in Benue State.
“The bridge construction when completed will bring to an end the yearly loss of lives, farm produce and other items in the river and will save lives and enhance the economic ties between the two states.
He described Enyim and Oju as agricultural areas with lots of agricultural products. The agricultural produce that comes out from Enyim and Oju can feed the entire Ebonyi State, if not South East but because of lack of access road and the river, it has been a problem evacuating the produce to the cities.
The monarch maintained that with the construction of the bridge, people travelling from Abakaliki to Abuja and other North Central States will not have any reason going through Enugu. From Abakaliki, you take, Enyim, cross the bridge and get to Oju, meaning that you are already in Benue State.
“When we began the journey of advocating for the construction of the bridge project to link the Enyim people of Izzi Local Government Area in Ebonyi State with our brothers and sisters in Benue State three years ago, we believed it would become a project of great significance, one that our people would appreciate and benefit from for generations.
“Governor Nwifuru is a man with a lion heart, he is committed in linking Ebonyi with other States. The idea of constructing this bridge was first proposed under Jim Nwobodo but he said our children will die alot there during the construction and he couldn’t construct that bridge.
It has been an uphill task connecting with Benue because the bridge wasn’t constructed. It is a big project. There is a market called Iboko Agwo and other markets in Benue and Cross River because you can also get Cross River through this bridge.
“So, those markets are where agricultural products are sold but they were not accessible because of the bridge. They were using Canoe to cross food to our side and we were also using the same thing. By the time the project is completed in 9 months, it will boast the economic growth of both State.
He further commended the State Governor for approving the construction of the bridge by the Military engineers adding that the security of the equipments will be guaranteed while the job will be delivered on specified time. Ends.
