N13bn For New Calabar Airport!

The Federal and Cross River State Governments are to work together in an effort to achieve the construction of a new N13b Calabar International Airport in Calabar before the end of the year.

The decision to build a new airport which will be situated at Odukpani along Calabar – Ikom highway is borne out of the fact that extending the runway of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport would cost N20 billion.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the weekly state executive council meeting, Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Joseph Ushigiale said extending the run way of the existing airport from 2.4 km – 2.6 km at the cost of N20b is considered unrealistic when compared to building a brand new airport for less, stating that the cost of the construction of the N13b new airport will be jointly borne by the two parties on a 50-50 funding basis.

The envisaged airport according to Ushigiale will accommodate larger air craft and also complement the emerging Tinapa business resort.

Ushigiale stated that April 2 has been upheld as the official date for the commissioning of Tinapa, adding that this follows confirmation by President Olusegun Obasanjo that he will be physically present for the official commissioning of the resort which had earlier been fixed for March 31.

He noted that with the commissioning of Tinapa, the interest by investors in the facility has heightened because of the investment potentials adding that so far three emporiums have been acquired by prospective investors, saying that by the end of April, the Chief Executive of the world’s largest retail outfit, Walmart will be arriving Calabar for exploratory discussion with the State Government.

According to Ushigiale, this shows that Tinapa has attained world class status.

On the efforts made by the State Government to improve the transport system in Calabar metropolis, the Chief Press Secretary explained that Government is ready to launch the Calabar Urban Bus Transit as the State Executive Council has adopted a proposal outlining 90 designated bus stops along three primary routes ahead the commencement of the bus routes mentioned last month.

He said the State Government has lived up to expectation by taking delivery of five of the 15 buses expected to ply the expected three primary routes spanning the entire State capital, stating that the operations of the bus service will be enhanced with the provision of two bus depots.

Ushigiale also explained that the state executive council is looking at adopting 50 naira fare for commuters and also a student bus fare that will be determined to alleviate the hardship currently being experienced by them.