Tinubu flags off Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Abuja corridor of coastal highway

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday flagged off the construction of a coastal highway, covering an 118.8km Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja road network.

The 118.8km Calabar—Ebonyi—Benue—Nasarawa—Abuja Super Highway is a section of the coastal highway, a project initiated by President Tinubu-led Administration, starting from Lagos and pushing through Calabar, and connecting Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja road network.

The road flag-off took place at Amaro Ngbom in Afikpo North Local government Area of Ebonyi State.

The 123-kilometre section in Ebonyi, which is to be done on continuous reinforced concrete pavement, will cut across many communities from Ndibe Beach in Afikpo and terminate at Mbeke Ishieke in Ebonyi Local Government Area.

The President, who was represented by Francis Nwifuru, Governor of Ebonyi State, said the project would be completed at the designated time with high quality even as he thanked the people of the southeast for their support so far and urged them to continue.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has begun construction of the 65km, 3-lane dual carriageway, a component of the 750km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, which passes through Akwa Ibom.

David Umahi, the Minister of Works, who performed the ceremony at Ikot Asua in Nsit Atai Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State, saying the flag-off of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project would enhance the economy and accessibility of the State.

He scored Governor Umo Eno high on development of infrastructure across the State, describing him as a true leader, passionate about quality and people-oriented projects.

In his remarks, Governor Umo Eno said Akwa Ibom people who are beneficiaries of the road construction do not take the gesture for granted as the road would have passed through any other State within the coastal region.

Listing the benefits of the project as unleashing and expanding of the economic horizon and opening up of hitherto unreachable part of the nation for easy movement of goods and services to the urban centre, the governor thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for embarking on “this bold and audacious project that is bound to unleash and expand our economic horizon and open up hitherto unreachable parts of our nation for easy movement of goods and services.”