N50.2b Calabar-Itu road dualisation will boost Southsouth, Southeast economy

TRACKING______The dualisation of the outstanding portion of the Calabar-Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Expressway will boost the economy of states in the Southsouth and the Southeast, the Presidency said at the weekend.

Giving the assurance in a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, lauded the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approving the reconstruction of the highway.

The Presidential aide noted that the N50.2 billion contract, when completed, will improve the economies of Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Abia states.

Enang also charged the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, to ensure an early kick-off and completion of the project.

He said: “On the approval for award of the above project at N50.2 billion penultimate Wednesday by the Federal Executive Council, I, on behalf of the people of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Abia states, and indeed, the commuting public, do express sincere appreciation to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, for this great favour to the people of Southsouth/Southeast and indeed, the nation.

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“This road, constructed in 1976 as single lane, is now for dualisation from Calabar – Odukpani in Cross River-State–Itu–Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, leading to the yet to be awarded section of Ikot Ekpene (Akwa Ibom) to Aba in Abia states.

“Your Excellency and the Federal Executive Council have by this breathed life into the economy of the Southsouth and Southeast, this road being the economic artery of the two zones and indeed lightened the sufferings of the commuting public.

“Let me express special appreciation to His Excellency, the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, and the entire Ministry of Works and Housing; Distinguished Senator Udoma Udo Udoma (CON), the immediate past Minister of Budget and National Planning, who worked hand in hand with me to capture the funds in the Appropriation process.

“We pray the Ministers of Works and Housing and that of Finance, Budget and National Planning to please assist the take off and sustenance of the project for completion within the contractual timeframe by making adequate budgetary provisions annually.

“To the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and his team at the FEC, a big thank you as we together make more impact in the Southsouth, Southeast geopolitical zones.”