Dr Erasmus Ekpang, the Cross River Commissioner for Information, says the Calabar-Obudu railway project has not been abandoned.
Ekpang, who reacted to comments in some quarters that the project had been abandoned, told newsmen in Calabar that the 365km railway project was still on course.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to implement the project, saying that it required some contractual procedures to fully take-off.
“Nothing has been abandoned. Remember that the government has an obligation to pay some money into the Public Private Partnership driven project,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the contractor handling the railway project left the site shortly after the ground breaking ceremony.
NAN checks showed that weeds have overtaken the site of the rail project meant to connect the southern and northern parts of Cross River.
NAN reports that the 350 million dollar project, driven by Reinhoke Limited is designed to have main terminals in Calabar and Obudu, with three sub-stations at Ugep, Ikom and Ogoja.
Some residents of the state who spoke to NAN on the state of the project , described it as a ‘smokescreen project’ used to launder public fund.
The residents urged the state government to embark on projects that would have direct positive impacts on the people.(NAN)
