Breathtaking Bridge In Vietnam That Looks Like Something From Lord Of The Rings

A bridge outside Da Nang in Vietnam is wowing visitors with its elegant design – seemingly being held aloft by two giant stone hands.

Known as the Golden Bridge, it stands 1,400m above sea level above the Ba Na hills, offering majestic views of the surrounding countryside. The gold-colored walkway is lined with purple Lobelia Chrysanthemums and extends for almost 150 metres, curving around in an elegant design. But it is the sculpted hands that give it the true wow factor. The design for the bridge came from a company called TA Landscape Architecture, and while the hands look like they are carved from stone, they are actually not. “We designed the skeleton of the hands and covered them with steel meshes,” a representative of the company said. “Then we finished with fiberglass and added the theming on it. The entire construction of the bridge took about a year.”

Vietnam has experienced a tourism boom as more and more people discover the beauty of this remarkable country, the structure is part of a $2 billion investment to bring even more than the 1.5 million visitors the area receives annually. Would you like to visit this amazing bridge? Scroll down below to check it out, and let us know what you think!

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Water transportation is very critical to reducing Lagos traffic - Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday expressed the commitment of his administration to provide critical infrastructure and enabling environment for investors to participate in the ongoing efforts to rev up water transportation, saying the sector remains critical to solving the traffic congestion affecting the State.

Speaking at a Roundtable on Water Transportation organised by the State Government, and held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, the Governor said though the sector had been left unattended to over the years, but that the State Government was nonetheless now committed more than before to fully harness the potentials of the water transportation to the benefit of the people and economic prosperity of the State.

He said the chaotic traffic situation in some parts of the State in recent times and the pressure on the road with attendant danger to lives and property, made the need to forge ahead with the reforms in the water sector being championed by his administration even more compelling.

According to him, “The question to ask is what has brought us to this despicable situation so to speak where the only mode of transportation for over 22million people is road and the road itself is chaotic. In the last three years, we have been fighting traffic and unfortunately in the last two weeks, we have seen what has happened in Apapa and what we have been trying to do. Just about three weeks ago, we saw what happened with regards to the Otedola Bridge disaster and then the carnage, as well as the inability of government to provide for the needs of the people.

“So, among the over 22 million people, almost 8 million are walking on the streets every second and at the same time, 86 people enter into Lagos every one hour according to United Nations statistics for 2016 which is the largest in the world. So, if other states are failing, more people are going to be coming to Lagos and that means maybe right now, there are 120 people entering Lagos not wanting to go back and the only mode of transportation we have for them is just the road and that is why we are coming up with other modes.

“1/5th of Lagos is water. We have the smallest geographical space in Nigeria of 3577 square kilometers with 25 per cent of that being water. So, you are asking yourself that why in the history of Lagos and in the history of Nigeria, that we did we not just think of other modes of transportation and what really went wrong?”

While reeling the benefits of water transportation especially to traffic management, the Governor said it was instructive to note that being surrounded by water, many parts of the State could be connected within few minutes.

“I was in Apapa yesterday and I look at the gridlock and it made sense to me that it is just five minutes ride between Apapa and Marina and so the question is can’t we create barges that take our cars officially and then push them there in just five minutes and so in no time everybody is in their offices instead of going through the traffic?

“Between Badore and Ikorodu is just ten minutes. So, we lay off people on Ikorodu axis. This is something that has been waiting for a long time and I just think this is the right time for us to do it because those coming behind us will not forgive us if we don’t take advantage of all the things we need to do to develop water transportation,” the Governor said, adding that major channelization projects, shoreline protection and jetties, among others were currently being constructed as part of efforts to boost the sector.

He said in addition to efforts ongoing, the roundtable was basically to come up with sustainable framework to boost water transportation and encourage people to adopt it as alternative to other modes of transportation.

While wooing investors to take advantage of the reforms in the water sector, the Governor said it was instructive that in the last 36 months, more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) came into the State largely due to transparency and credibility to encourage investors, assuring that his administration would continually create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Rotimi Amaechi Inspects Ajaokuta- Itakpe Warri Rail Line

All is now set for the official take-off of the Itakpe-Warri-Ajaokuta Standard gauge rail, the first standard gauge rail in Nigeria. According to reports, the rail was abandoned since 1987 but it is now completed and being test run. The rail is very critical to the Ajaokuta Steel Complex for movement of raw materials and finished products.

The minister of transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amechi met with the contractors and some members of his cabinets where they test the rail from Warri to Kogi (Ajaokuta).

It is being said that when the Itakpe-Warri Rail is completed, commuters will be able to travel from Kogi State to Delta State by Rail, passing through Ajaokuta, Uromi, Agbor, and Abraka. In the next phase, the line will extend from Itakpe to Abuja.

The rail link north central to south south. Here are it stations.

KOGI: -Itakpe -Adogo -Ajaokuta
EDO: -Itogbo -Agenegbode -Uromi -Ekekhen -Igbanke
DELTA: -Agbor -Abraka -Okpara -Ujewu

Top 5 Governors Who Invested Massively on Roads in Their States

Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources and mental capabilities. Nigeria has 36 states with the Federal Capital Territory, making it 37. Out of these 37 states, one can hardly boast of 10 states which have good road networks. There are some states you have to ask if there exist any governmental presence around this area despite the allocations and all sorts, some roads are death traps that you won't wish your enemies pass through. While some may argue that the IGR of some states is very low unlike some states with mega IGR, we have seen some states who have surpassed this excuses and have done excellently well.

The list is compiled without any political undertone, favors or whatsoever, the list is compiled based on research, fact-finding and based on the recommendation of people living in these states. While it is difficult to see governors without one form of weakness in one way or the other, these ones have stood out and are worthy of mention.

5. Gov Willie Obiano (Anambra)

Gov Willie can best be described as a lone ranger. He is the only governor in his party (APGA). Obiano can best be described as a silent achiever and he has held up the helms of the government so well. According to reports, Obiano constructed three flyovers with seven bridges without borrowing and doesn't wait for FG before he pays workers salary. Anambra state can best be described as a state with low IGR as 50-60% of its populace are mostly traders who specialized in buying and selling of goods but despite this, the state government has to perform beyond expectations in the area of roads and infrastructure at least within his ability. AutoReportNG still believes there needs more to be done in this regards but in all, he deserves some accolades.

4. Gov Rauf Aregbesola (Osun)

Osun state is located in South West and it is a land that's close to the Yorubas. They believe its a state where the Yoruba race emanates from. Osun state is one of the historic tourism states in Nigeria and that's why the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Despite having this recognition from an international body, it is expedient that the roads leading to these locations are in good shape motorable and that's where the state comes in. Gov Aregbesola been a civil engineer himself as done well in the area of road constructions across the state, from bridges to layaways to flyover, Aregbesola definitely knows his onions. Places like Oshogbo which is that state capital to Ede and to other remote parts of the states have been touched. Why some may feel he has not done enough of which we respect their opinions and see to that, but he is still better to compare to other states.

3. Gov Nyesom Wike (Rivers)

Gov Wike is popularly called Mr. Project so as to know he means business. Wike is a man who you love to hate. While many have criticized his style of government but he seems not back-down in his bid to develop the state. He made it a point of duty to commission at least 2 roads in a month, that's for a man that is not relenting. In April, he commissioned 34 projects in a day. Why many may disagree that not much is been done in this regards, we felt he deserved a spot in this compilation. It is worthy of note that Rivers is among the top states in terms of IGR for the state so the state is capable to build and construct roads without looking up to FG.

2. Gov Ganduje (Kano)

Kano state is being termed the Commerce capital of Nigeria. With a population of 15 million Nigerians, the state has a lot to do in terms of infrastructure and road constructions and the man at the helms of affairs has been holding it down. A visit to Kano will show you lots of on-going roadworks across the state, from the monorail to the flyovers and then to some major roads, the governor has tried within his best to see to it that the state is motorable and it remains investors hub.

1. Gov Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos)

Gov. Ambode needs no introduction to Nigerians, Africans and also to some countries. Lagos is the commercial capital city of Nigeria, with a population of 20 million people living in the state, the governor definitely has a lot to do in terms of roads and infrastructure. Gov Akinwunmi Ambode came into power in May 29th, 2015 and he has introduced quite a lot of modern roads to the state. The state is currently undergoing a massive revolution in terms of road networks, from Oshodi to Airport Rd to Lagos-Abeokuta Rd, Ikorodu and the list is endless, Ambode is trying to see Lagos retained its mega city status. Not only is the governor all about roads, he has made sure that the Lagos State Waterways System are working even though people have their reservation boarding ferries but we can say that the LASG is trying his best in this sector and also more stations are under construction. Gov Ambode is also seeing to it that the Lagos Light Rail is completed on time, the light way was started by the former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and so far, the rail is in its 75% completion rate.

Disclaimer
While we respect people's political opinion, we try to be as transparent by not having anyone or state as been favorites, our list is as a result of research, travels, and investigation. This has nothing to do with their offices and how they fare in other areas, we believe it's not every time we criticize, there are times we give those in power some Hi-Fives for a job well done.

Do you think we missed out some states? Let's have your take..