Don't abandon Ayakoromo bridge- leaders cry to Okowa

Don't abandon Ayakoromo bridge- leaders cry to Okowa

Leaders of the Ayakoromo community in the ancient Ngbilebiri Mein kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta state have appealed to His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to complete the bridge project in the community which was initiated by his predecessor before leaving office by May 29, 2023.

In a statement on behalf of the community leaders signed by the Community Chairman, Comrade Ebibofa Richard Azeez said except the project is completed leaders might not have anything to preach and convince the electorate to vote for the People's Democratic Party, PDP in the forthcoming general election.

"It is on record that as leaders of the community, we were jubilating when His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa announced that the bridge project would be completed within 15months but since then work is only going on at a snail or foot pace in the project site," the leaders asserted.

The statement reads, "In corroboration, you know Ayakoromo bridge is the only capital project in Burutu Local Government Area and one of the capital projects in the state and needed to be prioritised.

"Your Excellency, it is worthy of note that some of our leaders who work with you have been taken to the cleaner by our people for being mute over the current position of the bridge project. They have been accused and insulted as puppets, cowards, fools and politicians of stomach infrastructure, and currently, they cannot face our people anymore," they cried.

"It may equally interest you to note that it is now between 10 and 11 years since the Ayakoromo bridge project was initiated by the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan but the project is still far from completion. It is expected that by this time the first phase of the project which is the erection of pillars might have been completed but the reverse is the case, there are still about 2 or 3 sets of pillars which are needed to complete the first phase of the laying of pillars at the water surface,"the leaders lamented.

"Your Excellency, it is a known fact that the project, when completed, will benefit all citizens of the state and not only rural or riverine dwellers. 

"As we have rightly said, the bridge project will link or connect Burutu, Bomadi and Ughelli Local Government Areas in the state. As well, it will connect the National grid and open up business opportunities for the locals. Burutu, being an economic hub, will help to generate much revenue for the coffers of the state.

"Your Excellency, we are afraid that angry youths of the community might chase leaders during the campaigns and the general elections of 2023 if the bridge project is not completed.

"As part of our appeal, we demand that you fulfil your earlier promise of completing the bridge project in 15 months or better still before leaving office. We also appeal that more funds be voted and released for the project timely.

"However, we agreed that you are a road and bridge master, having seen your good works in other parts of our dear state, we strongly believe that the Ayakoromo bridge project will not be exceptional," they added.