By Olugbenga Salami
Excited by the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential flag-bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a chieftain of the party in Cross River State, Engr. Nsa Ekpenyong has promised to donate a 22-room
state-of-the-art building complex and the sum of N100 million to support his campaign.
Specifically, Ekpenyong, who vied for the APC gubernatorial ticket in the just concluded APC primary in the state said he took the decision over Tinubu’s promise to dredge the Calabar Port if elected into office as the next president.
According to him, “the tastefully furnished campaign structure situated at No. 78, Ndidem Usang ISO in Calabar Municipal Council, possesses major facilities which include; a conference room , a lounge, office spaces, kitchen, security post, stand by power generating set, reception halls, library and rest rooms, among others.”
Nsa added in a statement he personally signed and made available to our correspondent in Abuja that N100million would be given to Tinubu’s campaign organisation as the official state campaign headquarters of the presidential candidate when finally acquired.
The maritime expert and politician said “Asiwaju’s economic intervention plan via dredging of the Calabar seaport, is in consonance with his economic development plan being a relentless advocate of the federal government’s intervention to dredge the port.”
He, therefore, congratulated Tinubu for his victory, acknowledging his capability and infrastructural development initiatives which he said was evident in Lagos State.
Nsa noted that the revival of Calabar Port will improve the economic potentials of the state just like Lagos, adding that the issues of congestion which impeded the clearing process will be a thing of the past if the port comes alive.
The statement read in parts:
“Having secured our party’s coveted presidential ticket, Engr Nsa in conjunction with millions of Nigerians are nostalgic that our dear nation is on the verge witnessing the midas touch of Asiwaju a former Governor of Lagos who nurtured three administrations that have harnessed the private sector to turn the city into the most productive and dynamic part of Nigeria’s economy.
“Nsa and the good people of the South South region particularly Cross Riverians consider it an honour for Asiwaju to have specially mentioned during his acceptance speech his intention to dredge of the famous Calabar Port, which unfortunately has remained moribund despite past and current government interventions.
“Asiwaju’s economic intervention plan via dredging of the Calabar Seaport, is one consonance with the economic repositioning plan of Engr. Nsa who has been a relentless advocate of the federal government’s intervention to dredge the Calabar Port. Like Bola Tinubu, Nsa deeply understands the economic revolution that will usher in Cross River State, the Southern region and the Nation as a whole.
“Asiwaju’s resolve to revive the Calabar Port can be described as a selfless gesture because he could have decided to allow only the Lagos port where he hails from to remain as the most functional in the country.
“Nigeria has six ports in total but Lagos has remained the most viable, hence the huge economic activity in Lagos has resulted in congestion at the Lagos Port. Business men have also complained about the clearing process and other issues at the other ports in the country.
“Asiwaju’s resolve to revive the Calabar Port can be described as a selfless gesture because he could have decided to allow only the Lagos Port where he hails from to remain as the most functional in the country.”
It would be recalled that Tinubu, after winning the APC presidential ticket on Wednesday, had during his acceptance speech disclosed his plan to dredge the Calabar Port in Cross River State in order to receive containers, adding that under his leadership, Nigeria will engage in the fabrication of engines and mechanical brake pads and many other parts for local use and export.
