Minister Vows to Defend Coastal Highway Project as Stakeholders Commit to Completion of Project
By Missang AKPET
The minister of works Senator David Umahi has reinstated his commitment to ensuring the completion of the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway.
The minister who spoke during the flag off of the 65km section 3A of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway described the road as innovative and one which will bring about massive economic development.
According to him, “the last time I was in Lagos, I saw the Splendour and beauty at the Ahmadu Bello way where 15km of the road has been completed, it reinforced my commitment to see to the completion of this project.
“I urge all Cross Riverians and stakeholders in the host communities where the Coastal Highway traversed to cooperate with the contractors to ensure the timely completion of the project.
The managing director of Hitech Construction Company, the contractors handling the project Dany Abboud said the 65km 3A section of the road cuts across 14 Cross River communities and when completed will enhance the national road infrastructure, reduce congestion along the calabar Itu road as well as serve as an evacuation corridor.
He called on the host communities to provide the needed collaboration to ensure the timely completion of the project which he said will be most beneficial to them.
The host communities project community liaison officer Mr. ASUQUO Ukpanya who spoke on behalf of the host communities hinted that the host communities had already shown warm reception of the projects which is evident in the already existing cordial relationship between the host communities and the contractors.
He however sued for the adherence to the local content law of host communities that empowers them to enjoy 60% skilled Labour and 100% unskilled Labour while re-emphasizing the fact that the coastal is a reality which shall come to pass.
The Federal Controller of Works in Cross River State Engr Olayinka Onafuye while speaking with newsmen stated that t road will be made with reinforced concrete hence its durability is assured.
“I have a duty as the federal controller to ensure that the project meets standards and specification of the Federal Ministry of Works. I will be working with the contractors on ground in this section, two (2) host communities (Akamkpa and Odukpani LGA) and will ensure this end of the road is completed to standard.
