By Jonathan Ugbal; Government House Correspondent
Cross River governor, Senator Benedict Ayade says the scheduled ground breaking ceremony of the 260 kilometre superhighway to be performed by President Muhammadu Buhari will be no ordinary ceremony as it will be a homecoming.
Speaking with the state government press corps shortly after his arrival at the Margaret Ekpo international airport, Ayade who was out of the state for two weeks described the President’s visit as “epochal” as he will be liaising with the people.
He also added that President Buhari will be visiting a familiar terrain stressing they were both done with politicking and it is time they face governance squarely.
“My President’s visit to us is very epochal because it represents the fact that he will identify with any state irrespective of party line or political calculations as much as you do all he likes and fits into his core value.
“Mr President has confirmed that he is not just coming, but to him, it is a home coming because he was one of the few Generals that fought for the emancipation of Garkem, (in present day) Bekwarra during the civil war and has traversed all that terrain. So it is a terrain that he knows very well and he understands the value of our proposed projects and that is why he is personally committed to its actualization.
“As he is performing the ground breaking for the proposed 260 kilometres super highway, he leaves him with a moral burden of ensuring that he commissions the project. It is a strong commitment he has given and I am sure Cross Riverians are anxiously waiting to receive him on Tuesday.
“To Cross Riverians their excitement is the fact that the President identifies with them, fellowship with them and is ready to see them, supports them and see them succeed because he understands the economic value of this project that it is going to create the warm embrace between the northern and southern part of the country and above all for political calculation and consideration.
“For Mr. President, he has put an end to politics just as I am and now facing governance and that is why he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not an APC President.” Ayade said.
The governor further disclosed that the superhighway will have about 38 bridges, internet access with fibre optic cables, special motels and fuelling stations.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2015.