President Bola Tinubu has flagged off the construction of Section 3A of the proposed 750km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
Section 3A begins in Awi, Akamkpa local government area of Cross River state, and measures 65km, and links Section 3B in Akwa Ibom state.
In his remarks while flagging off the project at Awi, President Tinubu said the 3-lane dual carriageway project would resuscitate the economy of Cross River and other states within the region as well as boost transatlantic trade.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Cross River state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, stated that “the project is an economic enabler, job creation booster, intra and interregional integration link, facilitator of cultural exchange and all other verticals that are involved with it.
“With the recent groundbreaking ceremony of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing zone, the products from this zone will have seamless evacuation corridors to reach the teeming consumers within and outside the shores of the country.”
President Tinubu urged the people of Cross River state, especially the locals within the Akamkpa and Odukpani corridors to reawaken their entrepreneurial spirit so as to take advantage of the opportunities.
The president promised that in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, the federal government would continue to support businesses by creating the enabling environment as well as ensure Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in terms of food security and road infrastructure.
Also speaking, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi described the commencement of Section 3A construction of the 750 km coastal highway as a fascinating development and a dream come true for the people of Cross River state.