Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on residents of Cross River State to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu in 2027, assuring them that the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway projects would be completed.
Shettima gave the assurance on Monday while representing President Tinubu at the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally held at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
He appreciated the people of Cross River for their support of the APC administration over the past three years, describing the relationship between the government and the electorate as a partnership built around prosperity and opportunities.
The Vice President urged residents to renew the mandates of Tinubu, Governor Otu and other APC candidates contesting for seats in the National Assembly and the Cross River State House of Assembly.
He argued that the party deserved another opportunity to govern based on its performance, stressing that elected officials must remain accountable to the people who entrusted them with political power.
Speaking on infrastructure development, Shettima said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would connect communities along the coastline, improve the movement of people and goods, stimulate tourism and attract investment to the region.
He added that the project would generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities while opening up economic prospects for communities along its route.
On the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport, the Vice President disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the project, expressing confidence that it would become an important international maritime gateway when completed.
He said the seaport would attract shipping companies, create jobs and strengthen Cross River State’s position within Nigeria’s maritime economy.
Shettima described both the coastal highway and the deep seaport as important projects that could transform the state’s economic fortunes and expand its participation in international trade.
On education, he highlighted the Federal Government’s student financing initiative, saying it would support human capital development, ease the financial pressure on parents and improve access to higher education.
He added that the programme was intended to ensure that financial difficulties would not prevent eligible students from pursuing their educational ambitions.
Source: Vanguard
