Determined to enhance connectivity amongst southern Nigeria States and increase investments, the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, has flagged off the construction of Section 3A of the proposed 750 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The ceremony, which was performed at Awi, Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State, where Section 3A, measuring 65 km, links Section 3B in Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria.
In a remark, President Tinubu said that the 3-lane dual carriageway project would resuscitate the economy of Cross River State and other states within the region, as well as boost transatlantic trade and enhance transportation.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, stated that “The project is an economic enabler, job creation booster, intra and interregional integration link, facilitator of cultural exchange, and all other verticals that are involved with it.
“With the recent groundbreaking ceremony of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing zone, the products from this zone will have seamless evacuation corridors to reach the teeming consumers within and outside the shores of the country,” he said.
President Tinubu urged the people of Cross River State, especially the locals within the Akamkpa and Odukpani corridors, to reawaken their entrepreneurial spirit and take advantage of the opportunities.
The President promised that in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, the government would continue to support businesses by creating the enabling environment as well as ensure Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in terms of food security and road infrastructure.
Realised vision
Also, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, described the commencement of the Section 3A construction of the 750 KM coastal highway as a fascinating development and a dream come true for the people of Cross River State.
According to Umahi, President Tinubu had, since the assumption of office, invested massively in road infrastructure development across the country, noting that the coastal highway would be one of the other international trade corridors to be constructed in Cross River.
He poured encomiums on President Tinubu for his vision and commitment to infrastructural development across the country.
He urged the people to cooperate with the contractor and ensure the project is completed as scheduled, which is within 3 years, insisting that “you have all that it takes to support the President. Let me tell you people, the much we can do, the speed depends on you. I will do everything possible to guide you on the path of wisdom so that you will get this completed ahead of other sections.
“It is a time to cooperate. It is time to give up some of our rights so that this project will pass. So, I appeal that we give the contractor a lot of cooperation. They move like lightning. They have no time to waste. If you cooperate with them, you will see magic. You will see magic here,” he admonished.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Olufunso Adeniyi, enumerated the potential benefits of the Section 3A section of the coastal highway, measuring about 35 km, to include enhanced economic growth, facilitate transportation and improve security due to the solar powered street lights that would be installed along the coastal highway.
Similarly, the Managing Director of HITECH Construction company, Dany Abboud, assured that they will adhere to the stipulated time awarded for the project as well as adopt best international construction practices and standards.
In an interview with some journalists, the Federal Controller of Works in Cross River State, Mr. Yinka Onafuye assured that he would supervise the section of the road with a sense of commitment.
“I have a duty to make sure that the project meets the standards and specifications of the Federal Ministry of Works. Besides, I will be working with the contractors on ground in this section.
“Furthermore, I would be working in conjunction with the two (2) host communities, Akamkpa and Odukpani local government areas respectively, which means that I have to be up and doing until the road from this end is completed to standard,” he stated.
The flag off ceremony featured several Goodwill messages from the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, and representatives of the Cross River host communities, such as former presidential aide, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa.
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