The Cross River State Government has announced that construction work on the Obudu Cargo Airport has reached approximately 90 per cent completion.
The Commissioner for Works, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, disclosed this during an interview in Calabar, noting that the current administration inherited the project at about 50 per cent completion.
Ekpang dismissed claims that the project had stalled, stressing that construction activities have continued steadily since the administration of Governor Bassey Otu assumed office.
According to him, the government remains committed to completing inherited infrastructure projects, especially those with direct economic impact on residents.
He explained that the Obudu Cargo Airport project has been prioritised due to its expected contribution to the state’s economy, particularly in boosting tourism and commercial activities.
The commissioner revealed that major components of the airport, including the terminal building, have already been completed.
He added that the runway construction has progressed significantly, currently extended to about 3.5 kilometres from the originally proposed 5.6 kilometres.
Ekpang noted that work experienced a temporary slowdown due to the need for approval of a contract variation, which became necessary following rising construction costs.
He pointed out that the sharp increase in the price of materials, especially cement, had impacted the overall project cost.
The request for contract adjustment, he said, was submitted recently and is awaiting approval from the state government to enable final completion.
While declining to provide a specific completion date, Ekpang maintained that the project is nearing completion and remains a top priority for the administration.
The Obudu Cargo Airport project was originally initiated in 2021 under former Governor Ben Ayade, with the aim of improving access to the Obudu Mountain Resort and enhancing tourism, agriculture, and trade in the region.
