The on-going construc
tion of the Calabar monorail weekend took a major leap towards completion with the delivery of the passengers’ coaches
Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke who was on hand to receive the coaches said it was gratifying to see that the monorail project which was planned for the state years ago has been finally delivered and in matter of weeks will link the Summit Hills and Tinapa, thus bringing the Business and Leisure Resort closer to Calabar metropolis.
“The Monorail line is a project that has been on the books of Cross River State for many years. So it is very gratifying for us to see that the trains are finally delivered to site and work is going on. In a couple of weeks “we will have this train running linking Tinapa to the city of Calabar and berthing at Calabar International Convention Centre,” he said.
Imoke noted that the delivery of the monorail coaches was a realisation of a dream and an indication of growth and economic expansion particularly in the area of tourism which the state is known for.
The governor said he was excited and pleased with the monorail project, which will run across an artificial lake separating the two facilities, will be the newest tourism attraction in the state.
He said his government would continue to build and strengthen the tourism sector that will be used for both business and pleasure attractions.
“Though I may not take a ride on the train before my exit, but as we speak everything has been procured and delivered on site, it is just waiting to be coupled and it will be up and running and this will become the newest tourist’s attraction in Cross River State. If you take an aerial view of these facilities, I don’t think we have any site in Nigeria that can be compared with except may be the Obudu Mountain Resort,” he pointed.
The governor said that an agreement had been signed with the technical partners to ensure locals are trained to maintain the equipment when they take over.
“Just like we did with several other projects, we have professionals maintaining it. So the company that supplied the equipment will take the responsibility of maintaining it and they are also training Cross Riverians currently who will subsequently take over the running of the facility”.
CEO Potent, Mr. Hahn Wolfgang the constructing firm, said though some materials were still being expected on site, they have undertaken 80 per cent construction work.
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
