President Bola Tinubu has officially flagged off the construction of Section 1 (118.85 kilometres) of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja Super Highway.
The flag-off ceremony for this legacy project took place at Amuro Primary School, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Wednesday.
Represented by Governor Francis Nwifuru, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the people of the southeast for their support of his administration and urged them to continue, assuring them of better things to come for the country.
He pledged that the project would be completed not only within record time but also according to stipulated specifications.
In his address, Governor Francis Nwifuru described the project as critical to the aspirations of the people.
“May I also take this opportunity to profoundly thank 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 for the administration of Mr President as a way of reciprocating this gesture,” he said.
Governor Nwifuru emphasised the immeasurable multiplier effect of the road.
“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 transportation costs. 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, marginalisation, and infrastructural neglect is giving way to an era of transformation, inclusion, and nationwide accessibility,” Nwifuru said.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, described President Tinubu as a leader for all.
“He does not discriminate; he is a unifier, a true Nigerian, and a patriotic leader who has the entire nation at heart.
“This is a legacy project of the President, and the legacy projects are spread across all regions of the country.”
Umahi promised that the project would be completed within the stipulated time and called for the support of communities and the people of the state. He noted that President Tinubu has changed the narrative for the southeast and united the entire country.
“Ebonyi has been so marginalised that even as governor, I couldn’t lay hands on any reasonable project from the federal government. But President Tinubu, within a short period, has changed the narrative for the better.
“We have every reason to be grateful to Mr President. This is one President who has the southeast at heart.
“He is the first President to appoint a southeasterner 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 the southeast has no reason 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 a second term.”
Senator Pius Anyim, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Senator Azu Agboti commended the President for the laudable appointments and projects extended to the southeast region, vowing to return the support during the polls.
Anyim also praised the President for including Ebonyi State as one of the beneficiaries of the project, describing it as historic.
“We will continue to support whatever will benefit the region and the people of the country.
“The southeast 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 the southeast 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 an environment for projects like this to thrive.
“Southeast is standing for Tinubu,” she proclaimed.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Olufumsho Adebiyi, said the road project would provide an efficient network to boost agriculture and enhance trade and commerce.
He further stated that the road would create employment opportunities for the youth.
The Permanent Secretary called on the people to support the project from beginning to end, noting that they are the greatest beneficiaries of the project.
Engr Bede Obiora, speaking on behalf of the contractor, promised that the project would be executed according to specifications.
He explained that the 123-kilometre section in Ebonyi, which is to be constructed using continuous reinforced concrete pavement, will cut across many communities from Ndibe Beach in Afikpo and terminate at Mbeke Ishieke in Ebonyi Local Government Area.
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