The Federal Government says the Calabar-Abuja superhighway is strategic for boosting the transportation ecosystem in Nigeria, particularly along the economic corridors of the South-East and North-Central

It disclosed this after signing the contract for the construction of Section I of the 118 85km Enugu/Abakaliki/Ogoja Highway (Africa Trans-Sahara route) cutting across Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa states, and terminating at Apo in Abuja.

In a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, Orji Orji, the awarded project which consists of the reconstruction of the existing jointed, asphalt concrete and laterite surfaced road pavements from Ndibe beach, traversing through Eke Market, Abaomege, Onueke, Achiagu, Umuoghara/Onu Nwafor, Ukwuachi, Ishieke, Odomoke before terminating at Mbeke in Ebonyi is section 1 of the third Renewed Hope Legacy Project spanning 118.85km and it is to be constructed on Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the project is strategic for boosting the transportation ecosystem along the economic corridors of the South-East and North-Central by stimulating trade and agricultural development along the corridor as well as fostering inter-regional cohesion, cooperation, and collaboration.

He further assured that the four Renewed Hope Legacy Projects were not just transformational and critical, but investments that would turn around the socio-economic fortunes of the country, stimulate economic diversification, and enhance a more sustainable transportation ecosystem.

The minister noted that the President was carrying on with the execution of inherited road projects across the country, including the South-East.

He said, “Mr President has engaged in four critical investments, which we call for Renewed Hope Legacy Projects. Lagos – Calabar 750km sections 1 and 2, construction already going on, going on very well. Despite all the envy and jealousy by people who even took us to court. However, that project is a must.

“We are supporting Mr President to have that project accomplished. I’ve always said it’s not just a project. It is an investment. Very soon, we are starting 3A and 3B, which are in Cross River and Akwa Ibom. And then we’ll also start with Ondo State. And so, we will accomplish all that.

“Of course, Mr President is starting to accomplish all that. There is the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, 1,068km. Two sections are already ongoing. The very lengthy one; the biggest any state has in these four legacy projects, is the Kebbi section, 258km.

“It’s ongoing and we have flagged off, and we have paid the first mobilisation fee. The work is ongoing there, and of course, Sokoto, 120km. Work is also ongoing. This is the third legacy project, and this one passes through the South-East extending to Cross River, and then comes to Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja. We also have a project we inherited from the past administration, which is Makurdi to the 9th mile.”