Mix Reactions Trail Ayade’s Seaport, Federal Road Construction Promises

Mix Reactions Trail Ayade’s Seaport, Federal Road Construction Promises

Senator (Prof.) Benefits Ayade, during his swearing-in as governor of Cross River, on Friday at the Calabar International Conference Center (CICC), indicated interest in constructing, among other things, a seaport and a ‘dual carriage super highway’ from Calabar to Obudu Ranch Resort of the state.

Since Ayade made these promises,  there has been mix reactions from all quarters of the state describing the projects as too lofty for a state like Cross River with its poor financial standing to dabble into, while other critics aver that the governor in attempting these projects would be overstepping his constitutional boundaries as a state governor.

Inland Water-Ways, Federal Highways Strictly FG’s Role…

A Cross River based activist and APC chieftain, Bar. Okoi Obono-Obla taking to his Facebook quoted “Item 36 (Part 1) of the
Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) said the the governor was commencing his administration on a wrong footing as the state had no constitutional jurisdiction to dabble into the development of inland water ways including seaports and federal highways.

In his words, “I was pleasantly surprised, when Governor Ayade said the State under his watch will build a State Port . It is axiomatic that States in the country do not have constitutional jurisdiction to dabble into development of inland water ways including development of Ports.”

“Inland water way is a matter under the exclusive legislative list of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( as amended ) . Item 36 of Part 1 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides…”

“I earnestly beg Governor Ayade not to go into investment in another wasteful venture again as done by his predecessors.”

“Again, Governor Ayade promise to construct a superhighway from Calabar to Obudu Ranch is yet another white elephant project . In any event the Calabar to Obudu Ranch Highway is by virtue of the Constitution a federal government responsibility which the Cross River State should steer clear.”

State’s Debt, Buhari’s Administration May Truncate Projects…

Cross River US based business man, Mr. Princewill Odidi did not only frown at the cost of the dual carriage road project, which he estimated between N300bn and N500bn averring that such projects may be too herculean to achieve given the current economic standing of the state, even as he expressed doubt Buhari’s administration, given its track records, would accent to it.

“Calabar Obudu road based on ministry of works current estimate is about 300 billion naira and 500 billion on a dual carriage way. The current state of our economy It may be difficult to get Buhari accent to that expenditure in the next four years.”

“Alternatively, Ayade may plan to use external loan based on guarantees, I seriously doubt if a Buhari style minister of finance given our debt profile will approve that. It may not be easy to arm twist Buhari to get guarantees and bonds signed as the governors had their way with Jonathan. The 1983 cancellation of the Lagos rail project by Buhari should be a reminder of things to come if Buhari economic thinking should be taken seriously.”

State Seaport Not Necessary…

Mr. Odidi also kicked against, in completeness, the construction of a state seaport describing it as unnecessary.

“On the seaport, it is just not necessary. Proposed Calabar, Ibaka and Port Hacourt ports are all within 300 nautical miles. We don’t need three ports within the region. All we need is one functional port to serve the markets. Onitsha and Aba are the major markets, Port Hacourt port is more accessible to them than calabar. Enugu is getting a Cargo airport, it will affect ports operations. Apart from Lagos, there is no successful port in Nigeria. Successful Ports work better with market activities. It is the activities that should drive the need for seaport and not the other way around.”

“Ayade would need a sound economic team that thinks outside the box to help him,” Odidi urged the newly sworn in governor.

Ayade’s Position Borne Out Of Overriding Good Of The State And Needs Backing…

Holding to a twisted view, one of Cross Rivers foremost media entrepreneur, activist and publisher of CrossRiverEyes.com, Comrade Obaji Akpet said the governor’s promise could be an indication that the yearning of Cross River on possessing a workable seaport and good road network to boost the economic and tourism potentials of the state was long overdue, and so needs commendation and support by both local and federal players.

According to him, “Cross River’s plight to possessing a workable seaport and having access to good major road network to boost its economic potentials is long overdue. Tinapa project, Free Trade Zone, or the state well acclaimed tourism potentials are truncated by the lack of these amenities only being fought against by federal powers nursing personal interest against the state.”

“Ayade, from what we envisage has a brilliant and activising perspective things, and I think he either served these promises simply as reminder to the federal government, or better still, ready to take the bull by its horn by offering to be collaborate with the FG that these seemingly lofty projects may come to fruition.”

“I urge fellow opinion makers everywhere these critical issue is served on their plate of discourse to rather lend our governor a stronger voice as we collectively vent our long awaited needs to the federal government, rather than fold our arms and critically conclude on its impossibility,” Comrade Akpet added.

Source: crossrivereyes.com