On Sunday, April 6, 2025, the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi announced his ministry’s readiness to commence construction at the Calabar section of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway. The minister made the announcement in Lagos during a stakeholders engagement.
A few days before that announcement, Sen. Umahi had confirmed that 30 kilometers of the road, starting from section one would be ready for inauguration by President Bola Tinubu by May 29, 2025.
The coastal highway from the Cross River State axis covers a total of 130km road network, traversing several communities.
Before the modification, the road was supposed to have passed through communities like Ikoneto, Ekpri Adiabo, Ifako Okoyong and the rest.
However, with the current modification on the road, it is expected that it would terminate somewhere around Awi in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
The modification may not be unconnected with governor Bassey Otu’s proactiveness owing majorly to his visionary leadership and determination to end the persistent frustration of Cross Riverians along the Calabar-Itu Road. That determination prompted the governor to begin the Adiabo-Eseku-Ikoneto road from the Tinapa end. Work is currently ongoing at the site and nearing completion.
That singular action led to the achievement of two cardinal things.
First, it proved a point to those who did not want the Calabar -Itu Road to work to have a rethink that Cross River now has a new leadership that priotizes the welfare of her people
Secondly, determined to ensure that the people of the State were not sidelined in the scheme of things, especially regarding infrastructural projects as important as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal road, the governor began very early to engage major stakeholders with the aim of ensuring that the project commenced simultaneously from the Lagos and Calabar ends of the important highway.
On September 22, 2023, while welcoming the Minister of Works in his office in Calabar, Governor Bassey Otu appealed to the federal government on the need to commence the Calabar section of the coastal highway so as to make the progress of work faster as well as create a sense of belonging to the people of the State.
The minister was at the time in the state to inspect the pilot concrete road project along the Calabar-Itu Road.
“Let me commend Mr. President on his landmark project, especially the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway which is soon to begin and at the same time solicit that while work is soon to commence at the Lagos axis, the Calabar section of the road should also be considered so that the work can progress with the speed of light and create employment and business opportunities to our people “ Governor Otu stated.
Not satisfied, the governor intensified efforts with several visits to Abuja, the seat of power, where he engaged with key stakeholders and actively lobbied influential authorities.
Impressed by the governor’s persistence and love for his people, the President, through the Ministry of Works at a stakeholders meeting in Calabar, announced the approval for the commencement of work at the Calabar section of the road.
In a rapid response, governor Bassey Otu on January 1, 2024, immediately applauded President Bola Tinubu for his directive to commence work on the Calabar axis of the road as well as approval for construction of Calabar Ebonyi – Benue- Kogi – Nasarawa – Abuja super Highway as the major signature projects of his administration.
In an appreciation letter dated Ist January 2024, Governor Otu observed that section 3A of the project traverses eleven communities in the state with a total length of 130 kilometres, while a portion of the Calabar-Ebonyi- Benue – Kogi – Nasarawa -Abuja Superhighway also fall within Cross River state.
He said the two projects would go a long way to improve the connectivity and accessibility thereby boosting economic activities in the region towards enhancing the living standard of the People. Governor Otu also lauded the president’s dedication to nation Building.
“I most profoundly felicitate Your Excellency for your administrations interventions in the critical sectors of the economy. Thank you for your dedication to nation-building. Please accept, Your Excellency, my highest regards and that of the good people of Cross River State,” the governor concluded.
In June 2024, during the All Progressives Congress (APC), South South regional meeting held in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Governor Bassey Otu again openly appreciated President Tinubu and pleaded with the federal government to consider commencing work at the Calabar section of the coastal highway in other to give the people of the state a sense of belonging.
Present at the meeting were notable sons and daughters from the region, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, former Deputy Senate President, Omo Agege etc.
The announcement of the eventual flag-off of the Calabar section of the coastal highway scheduled to hold on the 14th of April, 2025 is the climax of efforts by a hard working governor who blends love for his people with effective political lobbying for the overall good of his state.
His competence, effectiveness as well as resourcefulness as a leader of the APC at the national level is never in doubt. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also understands the importance of having a resourceful individual as Governor Bassey Otu as a strategic member of his party and as such, have tried to play politics of inclusivity with all regions of the country.
As the official flag-off of the Calabar axis commences tomorrow, Cross Riverians are expecting that the same effort, consistency and push that the Lagos axis is experiencing will be given to that of the Calabar section.
Congratulations to the people of Cross River and congratulations to governor Bassey Edet Otu, the people first governor.
Edem Darlington is Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State
