The construction of the Bakassi deep seaport, a project on an almost obsolete coastline of Cross River State will be raking in about N38billion monthly.
The project which is dual in nature, aligned with a digital highway, the first of its kind, which will connect the Southern and Northern parts of the country, is to have a multiplier effect on the economy of the state and by extension open new vista of business opportunities for Nigeria.
Both projects were borne out of the need to reduce dependence on federal allocation consequent upon the loss of the state’s oil wells and the ceding of Bakassi and increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The state currently generates between N500 to N600million monthly as its IGR.
Three years ago, Cross River lost her status as a littoral state after the Federal Government ceded the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon in 2008, creating a dent in the resources of the state.
When completed, Neighbouring countries like Chad and Niger would also be able to access the port for business. The seaport will have a track of 14metres and a key wall of 680metres that would allow for vessels from outside and every other vessel to berth. The dual carriage super highway will also serve as an evacuation corridor for vessels, material and equipment laying in Calabar uniformly and effortlessly to Northern Nigeria as well as North Africa.
The two projects, a public, private partnership affair, which is pegged at N700 billion will be bankrolled by partners like Heritage, Skye and Zenith banks as well an Israeli-British firm, which has already provided a takeoff fund of 500million Euros. The deep seaport, a signature project of the current Cross River State administration, is currently undergoing major geo-technical studies before commencement.
The groundbreaking and flag off of the 260 KM dual carriage Calabar-Katsina-Ala Super Highway, by President Muhammadu Buhari, signals the beginning of a new experience, a super tall dream.
When completed, the road, which starts from the seaport and terminates at the boundary between Cross River and Benue States will link the southern part of Nigeria to the North-Central, the North-East and ultimately, Central Africa. It is also expected that it will reduce travel time, from six to about two hours from Calabar to the famous
Obudu Ranch Resort. With this reduction in travel time, less man-hour would be wasted on the road.
Wastage of petroleum products from trucks breaking down on the existing road due to the long haulage and the state of the roads will be greatly reduced.
Never has it been heard that a digital highway would surface as a project babied from Cross River state, a road with broadband connection and speed cameras, a first of its kind project. While the state has been known to attempt elephant projects like the Tinapa and the Obudu Ranch Resort, the road project is extraordinary- a national dream that will unite the North with South and some other parts of the African region, in a number of hours.
This dream put the President on the grossly pot-holed Calabar-Ogoja road for over an hour. He had been scheduled to arrive the venue of the event at Obung Village, Netim Clan, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State in a chopper. The chopper could not land due to lack of proper visibility, consequent upon the heavy rains. So, he returned to Calabar and proceeded by road, feeling firsthand what the everyday user feels when hitting bumps and trying to avoid the pot-holes on that road.
This showed the value the President placed on the project. It can be recalled that the President had earlier canceled his proposed trip for this same event in September, instructing that all technicalities be sorted out.
However, there is no doubt that the President believes that the project is achievable, as he declared hope that the project on completion, would swing open door of opportunity for the Cross River people in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
When completed, the road, which starts from the seaport and terminates at the boundary between Cross River and Benue States will link the southern part of Nigeria to the North-Central, the North-East and ultimately, Central Africa. It is also expected that it will reduce travel time, from six hours to about two hours from Calabar to the famous Obudu Ranch Resort. With this reduction in travel time, less man-hour would be wasted on the road.
“It is indeed, a significant milestone in the economic transformation agenda of my brother and governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade to create a new vista of business opportunities for Cross River and indeed the rest of Nigeria.
“It is for this same reason that I am delighted to be here today to perform this groundbreaking ceremony and more importantly, the first under my presidency,” the President said in his remarks at the groundbreaking event.
An elated crowd that welcomed the President at the venue also chanted the name of their governor, Ben Ayade, adding “digital governor”, he who dreamt a digital dream.
The road is designed to extend to Katsina-Ala in Benue State and act as an evacuation route for the Bakassi deep seaport. The deep seaport, another signature project of the administration is currently undergoing major Geo-technical studies before commencement.
State officials said the deep sea port is to be a money spinner for the state when completed, as it is expected to generate within the range of N38billion monthly. Neighbouring countries of Chad and Niger would also be able to access the port for business.
The road, an evacuation corridor from the seaport will have a track of 14metres and a key wall of 680metres that would allow for vessels from outside and every other vessel to berth. It will also serve as an evacuation corridor for vessels, material and equipment laying in Calabar, uniformly and effortlessly to Northern Nigeria, the governor explained at the ceremony.
The two projects, a public-private partnership affair, which is pegged at N700 billion will be bankrolled by partners like Heritage, Skye and Zenith banks as well an Israeli-British firm, Broad Spectrum which has already provided a takeoff fund of 500million Euros.
Never has it been heard that a digital highway would surface as a project babied from Cross River State, a road with broadband connection and speed cameras, a first of its kind. While the state has been known to attempt elephant projects like the Tinapa and the Obudu Ranch Resort, the road project is an extraordinary – a national dream that will unite the North with the South and some other parts of the African region in a matter of hours.
Some citizens, who engaged our correspondent in a chat shortly before the President’s arrival for the event, expressed fear that the project may actually be another white elephant project, as it was seen as a dream too mighty to be conceived by a state.
Not forgetting the dream of Tinapa, conceived by the penultimate administration, a beautiful project, yet it is now below par, waiting to be rescued by an Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) deal.
The road, which will be tolled by the private companies investing in the construction, is designed to have 39 bridges as well as tunnels. Speed Cameras, photographic solar systems with satellite antennas, anti slip bumps and ambulatory services are part of the design of the road. Facilities on the road will make it easier to track traffic and control speed limits.
While Nigerians have been perceived to kick against tolls on concessioned roads, this may be different given the features and huge finances going into constructing it. Some indigenes of the state said no one would mind paying toll if the road is brought to completion with the facilities as promised by the state government.
According to the governor, “This road is a digital road. It is designed for the 21st Century. It will serve as a trans-Central African Highway. It is my hope that as we envisioned, that this road will be done in 4-5years. From the discussions we have had with Benue State, it is our hope that they will continue the super highway to Nasarawa and they will think of extending to it Abuja. We hope that this road will eventually reach Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and the rest, in the words of the governor.”
In Obung Village in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Village head, Ntufam Boniface Edet and the youth president, Philip Ogar, expressed the community’s delight at the project.
Ogar said the super highway passing through his community would bring a lot of benefits to his people as well as other neighbouring communities. He said youths of his community and their neighbours were excited about the project.
Departing Obung, the President assured of his determination as well as the commitment of the Federal Government to ensure that the road and indeed the seaport run to a quick completion.
Elizabeth Archibong
