Follow Us on Google
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday flagged off the construction of 118.8km Calabar—Ebonyi—Benue—Nasarawa—Abuja Super Highway section 1
Flagging off the project in Afikpo, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Tinubu represented by the state Governor, Francis Nwifuru, assured that the project would be timely completed.
He said the mammoth crowd that attended the flag-off was an indication that the people appreciate the project.
He assured that the project would not only be completed at the designated time, but also on high quality.
“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.
“This initiative is not merely a civil engineering task. It is a bold declaration that the era of isolation, marginalisation, and infrastructural neglect is giving way to an era of transformation, inclusion and nationwide accessibility.
“This corridor, which begins here in our dear state, from the serene banks of Ndibe Beach in Afikpo Local Government Area, traverses Ukwuachi-Mbeke Ishieke, Ebonyi Local Government Area and proceeds into Benue State, is part of a larger, ambitious highway system that links the Enugu-Abakaliki/Ogoja Highway through Benue, Kogi and Nassarawa to the very heart of Nigeria’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“The project’s extension into Cross River State, through Odukpani to Calabar, solidifies its importance not just regionally but nationally,” the President said.
Other News
He described Ebonyi as landlocked state with vast potential in agriculture, solid minerals and trade and expressed the hope that the project would open economic potential of the state.
“For years, our progress has been slowed down by poor connectivity with other states but today, we break that barrier. With this flagship road construction, we are writing a new chapter, one of progress, prosperity and integration.
“And as Governor of Ebonyi State, I say this without reservation that this project is a game-changer. For our farmers, it means faster access to regional and national markets. For our traders, it means reduced cost of transportation. For our students, it means more secure and accessible roads to institutions across state borders. For our youth, it means employment.
“For our local economy, it means growth. The multiplier effect of this road is immeasurable. It is an artery that will pump vitality into the socio-economic organs of not just Ebonyi, but Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, Cross River, and the FCT.”
Minister of Works, David Umahi said the President has given all regions of the country their rights through various projects.
He commended the President for giving South East Minister of Works, which he described as first of its kind in the country.
“This is one President that came and he gave the South East its rights. No person from the South East has ever been Minister of Works.
“We didn’t have federal projects but today the President is working for all the zones,” he stated.
Umahi revealed that people fought to divert the project but the President refused and insisted on citing it in South East.
