Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday inaugurated a 1km flyover in the Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The flyover was built along Olusegun Obasanjo Way.

Speaking at the ceremony held at Ikot Oku Ikono village, Obasanjo commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for the project and prayed for the governor to have a good successor.

Obasanjo said having a good successor was more important than having a successful administration, saying a good succession plan was part of the success of any administration.

“Your success does not stop with your economic and social development to your people, but it will be measured by your succession because success without good succession is hollow,” the former president told Emmanuel.

“I pray and pray again that you would have a good successor,” Obasanjo added.

In his remarks, Emmanuel said contrary to insinuations, the project’s execution was not a show of affluence but prudence in the management of the state’s dwindling resources.

“When people see us inaugurate projects like this, they think we have money. We don’t because it is now extremely difficult for some governors to even pay salaries. So we are not celebrating excess wealth but this is a result of creativity,” he said.

READ ALSO Patrol team rescues 12-year-old abducted boy hid in coffin

The Commissioner of Works and Fire Service, Prof Eno Ibanga, in his brief remarks, said the project commenced on July 15, 2019, and was billed to be completed in two years.

He, however, said the deadline was missed because the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the project’s progress for several months.