Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi on Monday pledged to defend the 750km Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway Project anytime he is called upon.
Umahi stated this in Calabar, the Cross River State capital at the flag-off ceremony of the Calabar Section of the Coastal Highway.
“This project is beyond road construction but an investment. I take responsibility for the costing, alignment and choice of contractors.
“I can defend this project any day and anytime even up to the World Court,” the minister said..
He stressed that the innovative highway project was one that only President Bola Tinubu can undertake due to its importance.
Giving insight about the project, the minister averred that the coastal highway project was first conceived 27 years ago by the president.
He thanked God for giving him the wisdom to dream and the opportunity to fulfill the dream.
Umahi urged residents of the state to cooperate with contractors, saying the speed of the project will depend on the cooperation by the people of the community.
In his remarks, Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, who represented President Tinubu at the ceremony, described the project as an economic enabler, job creation booster and inter/intra regional linkage.
He appealed to residents of the state to reawaken their entrepreneurial spirit and maximally utilise the diverse economic possibilities the coastal highway will offer when it becomes fully operational.
Also speaking, Managing Director of Hitech, Danny Abboud stated that his company was committed to constructing and finishing the project before the timeframe given for its completion.
The Federal Controller of Works in Cross River State, Engr Olayinka Onafuye, also pledged to supervise the section of the road with a sense of commitment.
LEADERSHIP understands that the Cross River section of the highway will pass through Awi, Njahasang, Oduyama, Ikot Okon Akiba, Obot Ekpo, Atan Okoyong, Ekemkpon, Mkpara Otop, Kaifa, Nduoduo, Oboroko, Esuk Ekom, Nikita and Ekong Atan Oku before linking with the Calabar River Bridge to Akwa Ibom State.
