Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, has pledged his commitment to the successful execution of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
The governor spoke, Sunday, at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, where the Federal Ministry for Works convened a stakeholders’ engagement on the proposed alignment for Sections 3A and design for about 97km Spur of the same road with a segment from Cross River State to South-East and North Central part of Nigeria.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon Peter Odey, the governor said his administration’s maximum cooperation and support towards the realisation of this project is inevitable, adding that the importance of good road network to the economic development of the state, region and nation at large cannot be over-emphasised.
He directed the state Commissioner for Works to engage with the team from the Federal Ministry of Works and ensure that nothing inhibits the smooth execution of the project, which is scheduled to begin in Calabar axis in August.
He also assured the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, that the state government had secured the needed State Executive Council approval to pay compensation to ease the right-of-way for the contractors handling the Odukpani–Itu federal highway.
Speaking on the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway project, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, described it as a significant initiative of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at enhancing connectivity and promoting economic growth along the coastal regions of Nigeria.
He disclosed that following the directives of the President, his ministry will be prioritising the completion of ongoing projects in the country in the 2025 budget rather than putting up new projects.
He explained that the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway has Section 3A, about 38km, joining from the Akwa Ibom axis through Cross River State.
He added that there will be a spur of the same coastal highway, about 92km in Cross River State, making it a total of 130km to be constructed within Cross River State.
The minister further revealed that the 92km spur in Cross River State will cross Enugu State, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Abuja and Lagos states.
He frowned at the poor handling of the existing contract of Odukpani-Itu federal road, adding that a stern warning will be issued to contractors to return to the site or risk revocation of their contracts.
