Thomas Abi Jr|20 October 2015|10:45pm
Fellow Cross Riverians, I am delighted today, that I am part of the historic visit of President Muhammadu Buhari, on the occasion of the ground breaking ceremony of the super highway of the Governor Ben Ayade led administration. To me, the ground breaking is a significant land mark in the struggle of our national development.
I have strong belief that the occasion of the super highway is coming at the right time, having just celebrated the Nigeria Independence and attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York. One of the SDGs goals is sustainability, we must sustain our environment and provide the basic amenities of life for our People. And so, the super highway is one that I hold dearly to my heart as a Cross Riverian. It saddens me that I have to travel 7 hours from my native Ogoja to Calabar. Travelling through bad roads, occasioned most times with severe body pains due to the deplorable condition of the road.
It can be recalled recently, that the super highway was stopped as a result of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). To those who believed that the super highway was a reality, I say thank you for believing, for those who fought against the super highway as a result of political bias, I urge us all to embrace peace. In our history in CRS, as a political entity, we have experienced a lot of ups and downs, we have experienced a lot of hard times, but we have always forged ahead. When we lost our oil wells, we strimlined our cost and continued with projects of ameliorating the sufferings of our People.
To me, the Super highway is a blessing to the People of CRS. The cost implication may be daunting, but one thing is certain, we must have in mind that we shall weather all storms, and move on with continued speed and commitment in liberating our People.
Lest we forget, the strongest nations have experienced their own difficulties, I do not think Cross River State is going to be plunged with the Signature Projects of Governor Ayade. My advice today, is that nations are not built in a day but in most cases decades and centuries. I think we are on the right path in CRS with Governor Ayade's brilliant ideas on the table.
We must show love for our State, dedication, steadfastness, commitment, perseverance, patriotism and love for one another. From Calabar to hills of Obanlikwu, we must love one another, we must show interest in things as they affect our State. We must not strive to divide our State as a result of being egoistic and selfish.
It is my hope and constant trust and faith, that the Super highway would build greater and bigger friendship with the Government of Cross River State and the Federal Government.
Let's work as a team, in peace and unity.
Thank you and God bless!
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst/Social Commentator
