Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Federal Ministry of Works has signed a contract with Infiouest International Limited for the construction of Section 1 of the Calabar to Abuja super highway.
The road is one of the four legacy projects of President Bola Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The road which starts from Cross River will have a spot on the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja trans-saharan Africa super highway.
The road cuts across Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa states, and terminates in Apo-Abuja.
When completed the road will reduce travel time from South-East to Abuja by about 4 to 5 hours.
The awarded section, according to a statement by Uchenna Orji, the Media Aide to Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, consists of the reconstruction of existing jointed asphalt concrete, and laterite surfaced road pavements.
It will start from Ndibe Beach, traversing through Eke Market, Abomege, Onueke, Achiagu, Umuoghara, Onunwafor, Ukwuachi, Ishieke, Odomoke, before terminating at Mbeke in Ebonyi State.
The Statement noted that the road will be constructed on continuous reinforced concrete pavement.
Speaking during the ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters, Mabushi-Abuja, Senator Umahi lauded the President for his inclusive leadership.
He also hailed Tinubu for his considerations of diverse perspectives in the distribution of the dividends of democracy under his administration.
He stated that the Renewed Hope Legacy project was strategic for boosting the transportation ecosystem along the economic corridors of the South-East and North-Central.
According to him, it would stimulate trade and agricultural development along the corridor and foster inter-regional cohesion, cooperation, and collaboration, and create seamless movement of goods and services between the South-East and other routes of the road.
He assured that the four Renewed Hope legacy projects are not just transformational projects but are critical investments that will turn around the socio-economic fortunes of the country, stimulate economic diversification, and enhance a more sustainable transportation ecosystem.
He thanked Mr. President for carrying on the execution of the inherited road projects across the six geopolitical zones, including the South-East.
He said: “The President has engaged in four critical investments, which we call four legacy projects. The Lagos-Calabar 700-kilometre sections 1 and 2, construction already going on and going on well, despite all the people that even took us to court.
“But that project is a must. We are supporting the President to have that project accomplished. I have always said it is not just a project, it is an investment.
“Very soon, we are starting the Cross River to Akwa Ibom section And then we also start the Ondo State section. And so, will we accomplish all that, the President needs time to accomplish all that.
“The Sokoto-Badagry, 1,068-kilometre, two sections are already ongoing. The very lengthy one, the biggest any state got in this project, is the Kebbi section, 208 kilometres. It is ongoing. We have commissioned, we have paid the first mobilisation fee. The work is ongoing there.
“And of course, the Sokoto, 120-kilometre, work is also ongoing. We thank the President very highly. This is the third legacy project, and this one is passing through South-East, and then comes to Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja.
“We also have a project we inherited from the past administration, which is the Makurdi to 9th Mile. And this one is criss-crossing it. And so, this is very good for the country. And this is what the President is doing in every part of the country.
The fourth legacy project is the Akwanga, Jos in Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe road. This project was awarded before now to CJC, under the funding of China-Exim Bank, but nothing could happen. So, the President directed that the project be redesigned using reinforced concrete, which we are now concluding.
“So, our aim in 2025 is that part of the counterpart funding of the Federal Government should be used to kick-start this project, just like every other project under EPC plus F. So, this is what we are doing. And the President has not stopped any of the inherited projects.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, expressed his pleasure on the approval of section 1 of the project by the President.
He noted that it was a proof of Mr. President’s commitment to the democratic ideals and inclusive governance.
“Everything points to the fact that the President really and actually meant well for Nigeria and Nigerians. Today, this signing of the agreement will seal everything. I would like to use this opportunity to thank Mr. President on behalf of Nigerians for this great feat that he has achieved. I am sure with this signing, Nigeria will be better for it and Nigerians will be happy.
The Managing Director/CEO of the company handling the project, Mr. Joseph Dauda, promised to justify the confidence reposed in his company.
