Ahead of President Muhammed Buhari’s visit to Cross Rivers State today to kick off the construction of the 260 kilometre six-lane super highway in Calabar, the state capital, the State governor, Ben Ayade, has restated government’s readiness to host the President.
Speaking during his inspection of ongoing preliminary works at the site of the groundbreaking ceremony at the weekend, Ayade said the “President’s visit to Cross River is an epoch one because it represents the fact that he will identify with any state that has a clear vision, irrespective of party line or political calculations as much as you do all that fits into his core values.”
According to the governor, the President’s visit is significant in more ways than one.
“The President confirmed that he is not just coming, but to him, it is a home-coming because he was one of the few generals that fought for the emancipation of Gakem, Bekwarra Local Government Area during the civil war and has traversed all that terrains. So, it is a terrain that he knows very well and he understands the value of our proposed projects and that is why he is personally committed to its actualisation,” he stated.
Continuing, Ayade said: “As he performs the groundbreaking for the 260-kilometre superhighway, we are challenged to ensure its completion so that he can commission it. It is a strong commitment he has given and I am sure Cross Riverians are anxiously waiting to receive him on Tuesday.
“Our President is long done with politics just as I have and he is now facing governance and that is why he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
On the significance of this being the President’s first working visit since assuming office in May, the governor explained: “To Cross Riverians, their excitement is the fact that the President identifies with them, fellowships with them and is ready to see them, support them and see them succeed because he understands the economic value of this project, which is going to create the warm embrace between the northern and southern part of the country.”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is to mandate its Committee on Works and Legislative Compliance to ensure that provision is made for the reconstruction of Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja highway.
The resolution followed a motion by Ochiglegor Idagbon (PDP, Cross River).
The federal lawmaker had noted that the highway, constructed more than 40 years ago, had suffered deterioration, stressing that the road was the commercial nerve linking the state with the North Central and Southeastern regions.
He expressed concern that heavy-duty vehicles ply the road regularly, adding that this was never envisaged when the road was constructed.
