President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday defied a downpour to perform the groundbreaking for the construction of the proposed 260-kilometre Calabar-Ikom-Katsina-Ala superhighway and a deep sea port in Cross River State.

Despite the rain, the President shunned the helicopter in the Presidential fleet and rode on the deplorable road from Calabar to Obun village, in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state, for the inauguration of the project.

The visit to Cross River was President Buhari’s first working visit to any state in the country since his assumption of office on May 29, 2015.

The President’s Nigerian Air Force flight 5N-FGT touched the tarmac of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar at exactly 10am, but he could not use the helicopter marked Air Force NAF-280 to the venue of the ceremony due to the heavy rain.

Buhari, however, got to the venue of the groundbreaking event at about 12.35pm, while the helicopter flew in to wait ahead of his arrival when the rain subsided.

The President and his entourage were received at the airport by the state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, his colleagues from Akwa Ibom and Imo states, Udom Emmanuel and Rochas Okorocha respectively, and two former governors of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke.

Others were the senators representing Cross River south, central and northern districts, Gershom Bassey, John Enoh and Rita Oko respectively. Others were a former presidential aide, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa and a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Ekpo Okon.

Speaking shortly before unveiling the project, Buhari, who was welcomed to the venue by a mammoth crowd including the Obong of Calabar, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, and other traditional rulers, said he would support the project and ensure that it was completed.

Apart from providing job opportunities, Buhari said the road would reduce travel time from Calabar to the neighbouring Benue State and beyond by over four hours.

He said, “This 260-kilometre road is intended to serve as an evacuation route and I understand that the technical process for the deep seaport is ongoing. The road will open a window of opportunity for the people of Cross River State and Nigeria as a whole as well as reduce travel time from six to two hours.

“That I am here in person underscores the importance that the Federal Government attaches to this. It is indeed a significant milestone in the economic policy of the governor. This is the first groundbreaking under my Presidency. I commend Ayade and his team for their foresight in conceptualising this project.

“I want to assure you of the commitment of the Federal Government to ensuring the completion of the project. I promise I will come back to commission it. I urge the governor to ensure that work is done on it quickly.”

Earlier, Ayade, who commended President Buhari for honouring the invitation to unveil the project, had said the idea of the road and the deep sea port was meant to find a new means of production after the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon and the subsequent loss of 76 oil wells.

Ayade, however, solicited the support of the Federal Government in the completion of the project, adding that the state financial resources would not see the project through.

While promising that with commitment the project could be completed within the next four or five years, Ayade said already the state had received a 500m Euros facility from a foreign financial institution as well as support from Skye Bank and Heritage Bank to execute the project under a Public-Private-Partnership model.

He said, “Mr. President, you said you are for everyone and today you have proven this by your support for us. That is because given the circumstances of our nation and the politics, Cross River State would not have been worthy of being your first port of call. You have shown that you are truly a President.

“The ontological kinetics of the road started with the loss of oil wells, consequent to the loss of Bakassi. The state was reduced to want. It became imperative to reconstruct a new means of production and open a new horizon to get our teeming young men employed.

“The road will serve as an evacuation corridor for the new deep sea port. The sea port will have a draft of 14 metres and a key wall of 680 metres that will allow for all sizes of vessels to berth. The road will be the first to have broadband Internet connectivity, speed cameras, ambulance services, and photo solar system.

“It is your courage and encouragement that will see us through. I know you will make it come to pass. We have secured a 500m Euros facility from a financial institution in Israel. We also have the support of Skye Bank and Heritage Bank under the PPP model. It is our hope with the support given to us that the project will become a reality.”

Earlier at the airport, Buhari had inspected the guard of honour mounted by personnel of the Navy, Army and Air force.

The President and his entourage later departed the venue of the ceremony with the Air Force helicopter at about 1.20pm.

source. www.punchng.com/news/buhari-defies-rain-shuns--helicopter-in-c-river/

Okay...

Trash! Is it animals that pass through the route on a regular basis?

He risked his life in order not to miss a ground breaking event in a hostile state


But they still won't / don't love him because he's not a son of the soil

SAI BUHARI

Cc: Children of Hate
Cc: Wailers

cool

The President has shown that he is truly the President for all Nigerians. His first working cist to any State was to a State controlled by the opposition as confirmed by the Governor himself. The calibre of people who received him - former Governors, former and serving Senators and PDP big wigs has shown how acceptable the President has become as a result of his exemplary leadership by example as confirmed by no other person other than Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Man what is wrong with us as a nation? Millions of Nigerians everyday defies rain and Sun to go about their various hustled and what is the special deal in him doing the road opening when it is raining? Rain is natural and wether it rains or not people will still go out to fend for their families.... we should stop being silly and think like real humans to move our country out of its current sorry state.

Ok..

Meaningless post.

Risked which life? or is not the same road people over there have been plying?


He should have rode on a camel instead. That is when i'll feel for him.


Nonsense.

He didnt get to the venue via helicopter due to weather conditons and this trash made news?

DDoubleUps:
Man what is wrong with us as a nation? Millions of Nigerians everyday defies rain and Sun to go about their various hustled and what is the special deal in him doing the road opening when it is raining? Rain is natural and wether it rains or not people will still go out to fend for their families.... we should stop being silly and think like real humans to move our country out of its current sorry state.

You are very stupiid.How often do you work in the rain?How often do you walk in the rain?

Useless and bloody hypocrite.

D formal administration ll v done dis with a sentimental mindset, hostile aides and the environment will not be different to a war zone. PMB is indeed for everyone!!!

Sai Buhari.

another nonsense from buhari's official media arm.

FreeGlobe:
another nonsense from buhari's official media arm.

silence is golden at times.

ok

Whether u like it or not this country is dead economically and as such no vision from its visionless rulers

themilanway:


You are very stupiid.How often do you work in the rain?How often do you walk in the rain?

Useless and bloody hypocrite.

This is uncalled for. I'm a Buhari supporter and I also agree the headline is unnecessary.

He said, “Mr. President, you said you are for everyone and today you have proven this by your support for us. That is because given the circumstances of our nation and the politics, Cross River State would not have been worthy of being your first port of call. You have shown that you are truly a President.
[/quote]

What can wailing wailers say about this?

What rain if I may ask?i was at d event right from d airport to jonathan bye pass straight to akamkpa,the weather was cloudy but there was no rain.dnt know where this lie and propaganda dey come from sef.haba

And how has that improved our economy

themilanway:


You are very stupiid.How often do you work in the rain?How often do you walk in the rain?

Useless and bloody hypocrite.

Illiterate almajiri read the quoted

Despite the rain, the President shunned the helicopter in the Presidential fleet and rode

He didn't walk under the rain. Again nothing special with driving under the rain. Worse still he wasn't driving, his driver was

Trash. How does that make him a leader.

1. Economy needs revival.

2. The political space is in shambles.I.e senate.

3. Insecurity.

4. Denials and lie.

5. Political witchy.

iokpebholo:
What rain if I may ask?i was at d event right from d airport to jonathan bye pass straight to akamkpa,the weather was cloudy but there was no rain.dnt know where this lie and propaganda dey come from sef.haba

Either you or the reporter is lying or playing politics as usual?
On a Tuesday morning-afternoon? What are you doing following nothing to do politicians about all day, you mean you don't have a job to go to?

I was on escort duty,i serve in calabar.are u ok wit dt?

DaBullIT:
He risked his life in order not to miss a ground breaking event in a hostile state


But they still won't / don't love him because he's not a son of the soil

No, he came to witness massive development in the south south.

"I belong to everybody, I belong to Nobody"..President Muhammadu Buhari, 29th May,2015.

DaBullIT:
He risked his life in order not to miss a ground breaking event in a hostile state


But they still won't / don't love him because he's not a son of the soil

how can dey love him, when his plpp never like GEJ

DDoubleUps:
Man what is wrong with us as a nation? Millions of Nigerians everyday defies rain and Sun to go about their various hustled and what is the special deal in him doing the road opening when it is raining? Rain is natural and wether it rains or not people will still go out to fend for their families.... we should stop being silly and think like real humans to move our country out of its current sorry state.

the special deal in him defying the rain to do a groundbreaking ceremony is that he is your President. He's the number one citizen and it is an honour for him to do so.

lalasticlala .....goodmorning

iokpebholo:
I was on escort duty,i serve in calabar.are u ok wit dt?

But the pictures we saw even on TV showed them carrying umbrellas! Was it used for fancy or for sunlight or for rain?

Good.