Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has said his administration will extend the monorail to the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.
This followed the installation of the components of the first ultra-modern monorail in West Africa from the Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC) to the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort.
Ayade spoke in calabar, the state capital, after a test ride at the installation point of the facility at Tinapa.
The governor noted that extending the monorail to the airport was the panacea for the envisaged congestion the city centre would experience in the course of rapid inflow of investments.
He said the plan would check the impending trend and make more pleasurable access to the CICC and Tinapa from the airport.
Ayade said: “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 Deputy Governor Ivara Esu and other top government functionaries, added: “Visitors and tourists will be glad to experience Africa’s warmest city on the monorail as they visit from now on. It’s an experience that will remain memorable in their minds as the project is fast becoming a reality.”
With the double couches mounted and ready for use, the governor said he could not “wait to have the first ride”.
He said: “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 in this facility. After having the first experience entering the monorail, I am pleased that the project is coming on stream as we prepare to officially inaugurate the project soon.”