... Road will upscale economic development - Eba
Staatkeholders in Cross River state have continued to shower appreciation on President Bola Tinubu over the commencement of construction work on the 700-kilometer five-lane coastal highway earmarked to link the nation's commercial nerve centre Lagos and the historic first capital of Calabar.
The massive project, awarded by the federal government at the cost of N1.067 trillion for the first phase in February is meant to run from Lagwzos through the nine coastal state with a terminal point in Calabar.
Unvieling the state government position on the development,the Cross River state Commisseioner for Information and Orintation, Erasmus Ekpang said the state government is overwhelmingly grateful to Mr. President for the project,noting that the road "will serve as a catalyst to transform the economy of the Cross River for optimum impact."
According to Ekpang "I want to applaud President Bola Tinubu for the political will to translate this lofty dream into concrete reality.
"This coastal highway is going to be a game changer for the socio-economic status of Cross River. It is bound to add value to our rich agricultural produce while enhancing the profit base of local farmers. The rippling benefits in the value chain is unimaginable.
"The road when completed will also boost tourism traffic to our unique tourism sites by attracting an unprecedented number of tourists, given the thrills and frills synonymous with road travel".
Reacting, the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC, Alphonsus Eba Esq commended President Bola Tinubu for fulfilling a key aspect of his electioneering promises to the people of Cross River.
In his words' "President Tinubu has once again demonstrated that he is a man of his word by keeping to his promise when Senator Ayade voiced out this request during the presidential campaign in Calabar.
"Nothing is more gratifying at the moment that the cheering news on the commencement of the 700 km Lagos- Calabar coastal highway. This is a huge boost to the current drive of Governor Bassey Otu to alter the socio economic narrative.
It's bound to ensure our rapid transformation in all facet of economic development by driving traffic of investors and tourist to our state. I salute our former Governor Ben Ayade who hinted President Tinubu about the importance of this project to the state during the campaign. We are equally appreciative of the former Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon .Rotimi Amechi Esq who mulled this idea during his tenure".
Commenting,the Managing Director, Cross River Tourism Bureau, Ekpenyong Ojoi expressed delight at the development stressing that" The road will place the rich tourism potentials of the state on the global map for optimum exploration".
"This vast road network has innumerable advantages to us as a tourism destination. It is bound to upscale traffic to our unique tourism sites spread thereby elevating our tourism drive to greater heights".
He applauded the federal government for the magnimanity describing the concept as " the magic wand needed to elevate the tourism profile of Cross River to the next level".
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Obudu Ranch Resort, Mr Sunday Michael has applauded the federal government's decision to construct the Coastal Road from Lagos to Calabar as a laudable Initiative.
Micheal posited that" The Coastal Highway will open up and hasten interconnectivity between states and certainly ease access to Calabar and another part of Cross River State from the Westen and Eastern part of Nigeria.
The highway will accelerate tourism in Cross River State, especially to the famous internationally acclaimed Obudu Mountain Resort where His Excellency Senator Bassey Otu Governor of Cross River State has begun great work to bring the Ranch not just to its former glory but also introduce innovations and technologies to make visitors to the ranch have a pleasant stay."
Also speaking, a public.affair analyst,Francisca Ugbe opined that" The positive impact of this singular project will run off on every facet of the state economy ranging from agriculture, tourism, commercial activities and investment drive."
She explained that the road will serve as an evacuation corridor for the rich agriculture produce of the state thereby adding value to the local farmers.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Works, Dave Umahi has revealed that the 47.47 km dual carriageway with five lanes on each side and a train track in the middle is an integral part of the 700km road spanning nine states with two spurs leading up north, pointing out that the massive project will be constructed with concrete.
By Ekanem Asuquo, The Beagle News
