Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to the Akwa Ibom State government and the people to support contractors that would be handling the Akwa Ibom-Calabar axis of the coastal highway project.
Akpabio made the appeal on Saturday while speaking at a stakeholders engagement on the alignment of Sections 3b and 4 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted the Senate president as saying that the companies handling the project need peace, support and cooperation of the people to deliver the project in record time.
He congratulated Governor Umo Eno for the commencement of the project during his time.
“We are happy to have a federal government road as a state. As a governor, I was not lucky to have that done, but I took it upon myself because it is Akwa Ibom people that use the road.
“The governor should do everything possible to give total support for the success of the road project.
“As your ambassador and representative in Abuja, I will be monitoring and watching the minister on your behalf,” he said.
Akpabio thank President Bola Tinubu for accepting th request, adding that as the project kicks off from the Lagos axis, it should also kick off from Calabar and Akwa Ibom simultaneously.
The Senate president also listed the benefits that would accrue to the indigenes and professionals from the state, saying “there would be a lot of fallouts. Some sub contractors from the state would be adequately accommodated.
“There are quality engineers here that can help to actualise our dream on this road project.”
He also appealed to the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, to ensure the completion of the East West Road, the Calabar-Itu road and the Aba-Ikot Ekpene road.
Earlier in his opening speech, Umahi assured the people and government of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is a reality.
According to him, “Because of the love that President Bola Tinubu has for the people of these states, particularly your son, the president of the Senate, he has graciously approved that
Sections 3b and 4 of the road should commence from Akwa Ibom and Cross River Wtates respectively.
“The distance from Akwa Ibom and Cross River State sections of the road is about.107km from Uyo. A lot of side benefits abound. You are benefiting marginally from the project.
“Work on sections one and two has since commenced and work will start in sections 3b and 4 when the necessary issues have been settled.
In his brief remarks, Governor Eno assured the minister of the cooperation of his administration to the completion of all federal projects in the state.
He also lend his voice to the call by the Senate president that the Calabar-Itu road, which the state had commenced payment of compensations as required, and the Ikot Ekpene/Aba road be completed for the use of the people of the two states.
