Some communities in Delta and Edo States have expressed optimism that the recently inaugurated N4.4 billion Utor bridge linking their communities, will boost economic activities in their localities.
Vice-President Namadi Sambo inaugurated the bridge linking Ebu in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta and Ilyenlen in Esan South Local Government Area of Edo on Friday.
Some leaders of the communities, told newsmen yesterday that the completion of the bridge would open up the markets in the area.
Chief George Ofugwu, the Odogwu of Illah in Delta said that for a very long time, farmers in the community had been facing challenges in marketing their produce.
Ofugwu said that the people had problems in evacuating their farm produce to other parts of the state because the communities were inaccessible.
“We produce a lot of yams but because of bad roads and the high cost of transporting them out, we end up selling them here at very cheap rates,’’ he said.
Chief Peter Ofuase, also from Illah, said that they would remain grateful to the federal government for the gesture.
’’ We are grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan for releasing funds for the completion of the Utor bridge project, which started about 12 years ago.
‘’The construction of the bridge is a blessing to my community in many ways, as it will open up our markets and ease transportation in this area.
‘’Illah is a food basket and we are known for the production of yams and plantain,” he stressed.
Similarly, Mr Nathaniel Ede from Ilyelen in Edo said that his community had been inaccessible since 1984 when he was posted there as a pastor of the Church of Nigeria.
‘’But today, we are very happy because the completion of this bridge will attract a lot of good things to us,” he said.
Contract for the construction of the bridge was awarded in 2006 but the project was abandoned, till now that the present administration took up the challenge to complete it.