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President Buhari Shuns Helicopter and Defies the Rain in Cross River
Posted by George on Wed 21st Oct, 2015 - tori.ngPresident Muhammadu Buhari was a guest to watch out for at the groundbreaking of the major road construction project in Cross River state organized by Governor Ben Ayade.
The arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday defied a downpour to perform at the groundbreaking event 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, Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke.
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, Donald Duke and Senator Liyel Imoke.
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 conceptualizing 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.”
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 conceptualizing 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.”
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