President Muhammadu Buhari has performed the ground breaking ceremony for the  SuperHighway being built by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State. The 260km highway will link the capital Calabar, with towns and villages in the northern part of the state and also reduce travel time significantly.

President Muhammadu Buhari (center) acknowledges the crowd, flanked by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state(right) and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state

President Muhammadu Buhari performing the ground breaking duty while Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state looks on

President Muhammadu Buhari unveils the plaque at the Ground breaking ceremony

President Buhari with Ayade, Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom state and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state.

The launch was done  at Obung.  There was also the Deep Sea Port project that was flagged off as well.

The President expressed the hope that the road would create a new vista of business opportunities for Cross River and the nation at large while launching the project.

Buhari commended Governor Ben Ayade for his vision and foresight in conceptualising the project.

“Given the multiplier effect these two laudable projects are expected to generate, in terms of aggregate spinoffs, I want to assure you of my determination and as well as the commitment of the Federal Government to ensuring that this road and indeed the seaport runs to a quick completion.

“Let me commend our young Governor, Professor Ben Ayade who globe-trotted to get these core foreign investors to invest in these huge projects.”

According to the president, the road which will link south-south and northern parts of the country, when completed, will also ensure a reduction in travel time and man-hour.

He said that the project was a significant milestone in the economic transformation agenda of the state.

Buhari, who was forced to abandon his official Chopper and embarked on road journey to the venue of the event due to heavy rain, pledged to be back in due course for the inauguration of the project.

“I feel the warmth of your embrace and the passion in your gaze.

“The future of Cross River State is certain.

“I am one with you on this. I promise to come back to commission (inaugurate) this road upon completion and that is very soon too.’’

In his remarks, Ayade said apart from the road project, the state would also be constructing a deep sea port in Bakassi.

According to him, the two projects will be executed through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) .

He said the idea behind the projects rooted back to when the state lost its oil wells to Akwa Ibom upon the loss of Bakassi.

“The theological kinetics of this road started with the loss of our oil wells consequent upon the loss of Bakassi, therefore the state was reduced to wants in body and spirit.

“It became imperative that we reconstruct a new means of production; we need to open the horizon to get teeming young people employed.