President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday officially flagged off the construction of the 465-kilometre Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway, a landmark infrastructure project aimed at boosting connectivity and economic development across five states.

The ceremony took place at Amuro Primary School in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

In his remarks, the president, represented by Governor Francis Nwifuru, expressed gratitude to the people of the South-East for their continued support and urged them to sustain their backing for his administration. 

He assured that the highway project would be completed on schedule and built to meet the highest standards.

Describing the highway as a critical infrastructure that aligns with the aspirations of the region, Governor Nwifuru praised the initiative as a reflection of Tinubu’s commitment to national growth through strategic infrastructure development.

“This project reflects the President’s resolve to deploy infrastructure as a tool for national development and growth,” Nwifuru stated. “We shall remain resolute in our support for the administration of Mr. President as a way of reciprocating this gesture.”

He added that the multiplier effect of the road—connecting key economic zones—would be immense, bringing benefits in trade, mobility, and regional integration.

“For us as a State, this project is especially significant. We are a landlocked state with vast potential in agriculture, solid minerals, and trade.

“For years, our progress has been slowed down by poor connectivity with other States but today, we break that barrier. With this flagship road construction, we are writing a new chapter — One of progress, prosperity, and integration.

“And as Governor of Ebonyi State, I say this without reservation: this project is a game-changer. For our farmers, it means faster access to regional and national markets.

“For our traders, it means reduced cost of transportation. For our students, it means more secure and accessible roads to institutions across state borders. For our youth, it means employment. For our local economy, it means growth”,

“This initiative is not merely a civil engineering task. It is a bold declaration that the era of isolation, marginalisation, and infrastructural neglect is giving way to an era of transformation, inclusion, and nationwide accessibility”, Nwifuru said.

Meanwhile, various Leaders of the state who spoke at the event endorsed the President for a second term.

They hinged their endorsement on the laudable achievement of the Renewed Hope administration.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, described Tinubu as a President for all.

“He does not discriminate, but he is a unifier, a true Nigerian and patriotic Leader who has the entire nation at heart.

“This is a legacy project of the President, and the legacy projects are spread across the entire regions of the country.

Mr Umahi promise that the project will be completed within the stipulated time and requested for support of the communities and all the people of the state.

He noted that President Tinubu has changed the story of the southeast for good and united the entire country.

“Ebonyi has been so marginalised that even as governor, I couldn’t lay my hands on any reasonable project from the federal government, but President Tinubu, within a short period, has changed the narrative for the better.

“We have every cause to be grateful to Mr President. This is one President that have Southeast at heart.

“He is the first President to appoint a Southeasterner as Minister of Works. We didn’t have projects like this before, but today, Mr President is working for all regions of the country.

“Mr President has reunited the entire country, and the southeast has no cause not to stand for Mr President. Ndigbo are wiser and won’t join hands with those who don’t like the country.

“We must come together as a region to endorse Mr President for a second term.

Senator Pius Anyim, former Secretary to the state government, commended the President for laudable appointments and projects he extended to the southeast region and vowed to return the support during the polls.

A former Senator, Azu Agboti, commended Tinubu for including the state as one of the benefiting states of the project.

“We will continue to support whatever will benefit the region and whatever will benefit the people of the country.

“Southeast needs to be grateful for all the projects Tinubu is doing in the region. We thank you for appointing our son as Minister of Works.

“We want to encourage everybody from the southeast that the time has come for us to return the gesture of Mr President to Mr President. We must connect properly to the centre. One of the ways we must show this gratitude is to stand with Mr President. We must show that we are people who cherish and value gratitude.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Chioma Nweze, said the president is building roads across the country and uniting the people.

She thanked the governor for providing the environment for projects like this to thrive.

“Southeast is standing for Tinubu”, she proclaimed.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Olufumsho Adebiyi, said the road project will provide an efficient network that will boost agriculture and enhance trade and commerce.

He further said the road will create employment opportunities for the youth.

The Permanent Secretary called on the people to support the project from the beginning to the end. A survey is the greatest beneficiary of the project.

Bede Obiora, on behalf of the contractor, promised that the project would be done according to specifications.

He said the 123 kilometres section in Ebonyi which is to be done on continous reinforced concrete pavement will cut across many communities from Ndibe Beach in Afikpo and terminate at Mbeke Ishieke in Ebonyi local government area.

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