President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, commissioned work to begin on the 65km Akwa Ibom section of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Speaking during the ceremony at Nsit Atai, Mr Tinubu reiterated the importance of the project, saying it would bring economic development to Akwa Ibom.

Represented by the Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, Mr Tinubu said that the road would foster national unity and integration when completed.

The president said the project was one of the key components of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I want to say that great leaders think big and shy away from playing politics with projects that have enduring values.

“If you want to build the economy, build roads. Road infrastructure is a key catalyst for the growth and development of any nation.

“It creates ease of movement of goods or services. It stimulates interstate movement and improves the quality of life of the people.

“This is my vision for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Now, we are in 3A and B, respectively, which link Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

“The economic benefits it will bring to the people of these two states are enormous,” Mr Tinubu said.

In his speech, Mr Eno commended Mr Tinubu for including Akwa Ibom as one of the benefiting states of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Mr Eno described Tinubu as a detribalised leader and said his administration would support the successful completion of the project.

“I thank Mr President for this project that is bound to expand our economic horizon and open our state up for easy movement of goods and services,” Mr Eno said.

In his remarks, Minister of Works David Umahi urged the Akwa Ibom people to support the contractor, Hitech Construction Limited, in implementing the project according to schedule.

He expressed the federal government’s commitment to paying compensation at the completion of enumeration.

(NAN)