Cross River To Extend Calabar Monorail To Airport, Flags Off Recovery, Restoration Of Green Areas In Calabar
FeaturedNigeria December 9, 2015 Dianabasi Effiong
Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade and his deputy Prof. Ivara Esu both alight from the newly installed Calabar monorail coach shortly after the test run of the facility in Calabar
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River state has restated his administration’s determination to extend the first ultra-modern monorail in West Africa to the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar following the successful installation of all the components of the facility that spans the Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC) to the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resor at Adiabo in Odukpani local government area of the Statet,
Ayade, who disclosed this shortly after taking a test ride at the installation point of the facility in Tinapa, said extending the monorail to the airport was the solution to the envisaged congestion of the city centre occasioned by envisaged rapid inflow of investments.
He said the plan would check the impending trend and make access to the CICC and Tinapa from the airport more pleasurable. “This project stands to be extended to the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, as the state receives approval certifying the airport for international operations.”
The Governor who was accompanied by his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu and other top functionaries of the state, said: “Visitors and tourists will be glad to experience Africa’s warmest city on the monorail as they visit from now on, an experience that will remain memorable in their mind as the project is fast becoming a reality.”
With the double couches now mounted and ready to be used, he said he could not “wait to have the first ride”‘.
“Don’t forget that we are bringing the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, other beauty queens and the international community. They will al take a ride on this facility. After having the first experience entering the monorail, I am pleased that the project is coming on stream as prepare to officially commission the project soon.”
The Governor who expressed satisfaction at the level of work done so far by the contractor noted that he was keeping to project agreement, adding that completion of the project will further boost the excitement for this year carnival.
The monorail using an Intamin P8 electric powered passenger shuttle train will move passengers between the CICC and the Tinapa complex while allowing access to Studio Tinapa, Tinapa Shopping Center, and the Tinapa waterpark and provide a quick alternative access connecting Tinapa to Summit Hills.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State Government says it has started a process to recover, restore and protect, Calabar Green Areas, verges and open spaces. The Commissioner for Environment. Engineer Mike Eraye, disclosed this at the flag off the exercise and an on-the-spot assessment of areas he tagged Red Zones for street trading in Calabar.
He said that street traders, car dealers and business owners encroaching on the verges have been notified of impending enforcement action by the Ministry. Eraye said his ministry had set an agenda for the recovery, restoration, protection of road verges which are gradually being converted into slums and landscaping of such places in Calabar.
He also disclosed that the booming street trading and shanties, which have taken over the central part of Calabar Metropolis must be stopped. He also directed all owners of shops under high tension wires to vacate such places, while trees along the high-way be trimmed with the canopies lifted above the height of a trailer.
The Commissioner said that the reclamation exercise would begin immediately along the carnival route, through Cenotaph (Eleven-Eleven) to the Highway and subsequently to other parts of the city. He said there was no doubt that parts of Calabar metropolis were no longer green and clean, adding that the state government is determined to “restore the value we lost’”.
He said that the recovery effort is based on the commitment and passion of the people of Cross River for a clean and green environment. Eraye also stated that efforts were being made to restore what he called the diminishing aesthetic situation in the state. He said that sanitation courts were being activated to prosecute defaulters of the regulations on sanitation and verges.
Areas visited by the team included Eleven-Eleven, Etim Edem Park and Barracks road where there were illegal parks, Mary Slessor, Bogobiri and Marian Road. The inspection team included the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Achu Takim Achu, Director of Flood and Erosion, Mr.Robert Etu, and Director, Ecology, Biodiversity and conservation, Mr. Godwin Ilem. The Director, Environmental Protection and Assessment and Deputy Director, Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Mr. Godwin Amissine were also part of the team.
Dianabasi Effiong
