Calabar, the capital city and other parts of Cross Rivers State were abuzz with excitement on Sunday, following preparation for Monday flag-off of the state’s axis of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by the Federal Government.
Naija Daily News learnt that the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, would flag off the Southsouth end of the strategic highway at Awi, in Akampa LGA in Cross Rivers, along with key federal and state political and traditional leaders.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway’s construction uses reinforced concrete, and it spans a distance of 700km – from Victoria Island (Lagos State) through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and terminates in Cross Rivers State.
The multi-trillion naira road, which was conceived decades ago to link the commercial headquarters of Nigeria to the oil and gas hubs of the Southsouth states, has been dogged by controversies, but the construction has continued.
Some of the controversies surrounding the projects include an alleged N8bn/km (Minister Umahi said its N4bn/km) and conflicts of interest in the award process.
It was gathered that the sections would commence at Awi in Akamkpa Local Government Area, and the ceremony would be witnessed by the host governor, HE Bassey Otu; the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh; National and Cross Rivers State assemblies members.
Cross Rivers State Commissioner of Works, Mr Pius Ankpo, said the project demonstrates the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment to change the face of infrastructure across the country.
“The project demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in showcasing visible development footprints and reinforcing public trust in government’s infrastructure delivery .”
The 38-kilometer section of the highway, it was learnt, stretches through Odukpani and Akamkpa LGAs in Cross Rivers and joins Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Ondo before terminating at the Lagos State axis, where construction is also in full swing.
Ankpo said the road is set to boost the local economy, improve travel and logistics, as well as create jobs and investments and foster national integration.
