Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday flagged-off the construction of the 465 kilometres Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa- Abuja super Highway.
The flag-off of the legacy project took place at the Amuro Primary school, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Represented by Governor Francis Nwifuru, the President thanked the people of the South-East for their support so far and urged them to continue.
He promised that the project will be completed not only in record time but according to stipulated specifications.
Governor Nwifuru, in his own address described the project as very key and critical to the aspirations of the people.
“May I also take this opportunity to thank very profoundly, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda is beginning to take root in every corner of our country.
“This project reflects the president’s resolve to deploy infrastructure as a tool for national development and growth. We shall remain resolute in our support to the administration of Mr President as a way of reciprocating this gesture,” he said.
Governor Nwifuru noted that the multiplier effect of the road is immeasurable.
“For us as a State, this project is especially significant. We are a landlocked state with vast potential in agriculture, solid minerals, and trade.
“For years, our progress has been slowed down by poor connectivity with other States But today, we break that barrier. With this flagship road construction, we are writing a new chapter — One of progress, prosperity, and integration.
“And as Governor of Ebonyi State, I say this without reservation: this project is a game-changer. For our farmers, it means faster access to regional and national markets.
“For our traders, it means reduced cost of transportation. For our students, it means more secure and accessible roads to institutions across state borders. For our youth, it means employment. For our local economy, it means growth.”
“This initiative is not merely a civil engineering task. It is a bold declaration that the era of isolation, marginalization, and infrastructural neglect is giving way to an era of transformation, inclusion, and nationwide accessibility,” Nwifuru said.
Meanwhile, various Leaders of the state who spoke at the event endorsed the President for a second term.
They hinged their endorsement on the laudable achievement of the Renewed Hope administration.
Minister of Works, David Umahi described Tinubu as a President for all.
“He does not discriminate but he is a unifier, a true Nigerian and patriotic Leader who has the entire nation at heart.
“This is a legacy project of the President and the legacy projects are spread across the entire regions of the country.
Mr Umahi promised that the project will be completed within the stipulated time and requested for support of the communities and all the people of the state.
He noted that President Tinubu has changed the story of the South-East for good and united the entire country.
“Ebonyi has been so maginalised that even as governor I couldn’t lay hands on any reasonable project from the Federal Government but President Tinubu within a short period of time has changed the narrative for the better.
“We have every cause to be greatful to Mr President. This is one President that has South-East at heart.
“He is the first President to appoint a South-Easterner as Minister of Works. We didn’t have projects like this before but today Mr President is working for all regions of the country.
“Mr President has reunited the entire country and South-East has no cause not to stand for Mr President. Ndigbo are wiser and won’t join hands with those who don’t like the country.
“We must come together as a region to endorse Mr President for second term.
Senator Pius Anyim, former Secretary to the state government commended the President for laudable appointments and projects he extended to the South-East region and vowed to return the support during the polls.
A former Senator, Azu Agboti, commended Tinubu for including the state as one of the benefitting states of the project.
“We will continue to support whatever will benefit the region and whatever will benefit the people of the country.
“South-East needs to be grateful for all the projects Tinubu is doing in the region. We thank you for appointing our own son as Minister of Works.
“We want to encourage everybody from South-East that the time has come for us to return the gesture of Mr President back to Mr President. We must connect properly to the centre. One of the ways we must show this gratitude is to stand with Mr President. We must show that we are people who cherish and value gratitude.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Chioma Nweze, said the president is building roads across the country and uniting the people.
She thanked the governor for providing environment for projects like this to thrive.
“South-East is standing for Tinubu,” she proclaimed.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Olufumsho Adebiyi said the road project will provide efficient network that will boost agriculture and enhance trade and commerce.
He further said the road will create employment opportunities for the youths.
The Permanent Secretary called on the people to support the project from the begining to the end.
Engr Bede Obiora on behalf of the contractor promised that the project will be done according to specifications.
He said the 123 kilometres section in Ebonyi which is to be done on continous reinforced concrete pavement will cut across many communities from Ndibe Beach in Afikpo and terminate at Mbeke Ishieke in Ebonyi Local Government Area.
