From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
President Bola Tinubu flagged off the construction of the 118.8km Calabar—Ebonyi—Benue—Nasarawa—Abuja Super Highway’s Section 1 in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, on Wednesday.
Represented by Governor Francis Nwifuru, Tinubu assured timely and high-quality completion, noting the large crowd as a sign of public support.
“We are gathered here on the soils of Ebonyi State to witness the take-off of a critical section of a 118.8-kilometre superhighway, a project that promises to change the face of infrastructure across the South-East, North-Central, and South-South regions of Nigeria,” Tinubu said. He described the project as a step toward ending “isolation, marginalisation, and infrastructural neglect” and fostering “transformation, inclusion, and nationwide accessibility”.
The highway starts at Ndibe Beach, Afikpo, passes through Ukwuachi-Mbeke Ishieke in Ebonyi, extends to Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja, and connects to Calabar via Odukpani in Cross River. Tinubu called Ebonyi a landlocked state with untapped potential in agriculture, minerals, and trade, stating the road would unlock economic growth.
“For our farmers, it means faster access to markets. For our traders, it means reduced transport costs. For our students, it means safer roads. For our youth, it means employment,” he said, emphasising its role in boosting the local economy.
Minister of Works David Umahi praised Tinubu for equitable project distribution, highlighting his appointment of a South-East Minister of Works as a historic first.
“This is one President that came and he gave South East their rights. No person from South East has ever been Minister of Works,” Umahi said. He claimed Tinubu resisted pressure to divert the project, ensuring its South-East alignment.