The Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, yesterday test-run the monorail which took off from Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort to the Calabar International Convention Centre, CICC at the Summit Hills and back to Tinapa. Speaking on the new developments, Ayade said that the feat is one in a series of pioneering achievements which Cross River has been known for.
Cross River was the first to introduce a cable car in Nigeria, and the longest in Africa, just as it was the first to launch a canopy walkway in Nigeria.
The premier monorail is designed as a transit for tourists between the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort and the 5,000 seating capacity, multipurpose Calabar International Convention Centre.
The Cross River State Governor along with Mr. Ahmed Kuru, the Managing Director, Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) and some other top management staff were on board the maiden ride on the monorail.
Speaking after the maiden ride, Ben Ayade stated that the coming of AMCON for the maiden ride was an indication that the company was willing and readily available to partner the state to restore Tinapa.
Also speaking on his desire to see to the completion of his predecessors’ uncompleted projects, considering the huge cost involved, Ayade said: “I am very excited that I played a major role in seeing to the realisation of this project. Don’t forget that this project was conceptualised by Donald Duke, prosecuted by Senator Liyel Imoke, who came in and gave it his best by pumping in a lot of money to see it come to life.
I came in, in spite of the lean resources. I shut down everything to ensure that it has light. “With this, we can clearly see that Cross River State shows consistency in leadership from Donald to Liyel and now Ayade, I see everyone carrying on other’s projects.
I want to ensure that all the projects that were started by my predecessors are completed, even as I also pursue my signature projects side by side.
My primary focus in the first three years is to ensure the completion of all projects embarked upon by Senator Liyel Imoke before I embark on my own key projects.
