In a move that will no doubt go a long way in repositioning Obudu as one the leading tourism destinations in Africa, the Cross River State government on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 conducted an open, competitive bidding for the Obudu International Airport Project.
Six construction firms participated in the Tuesday bidding. They are: Sumec Nig Ltd, CG Engineering, CIBA Nig Ltd, Wokor Services, A&K Construction and Poa Adit Nig Ltd.
To be sited in Obudu local government area in the Northern part of the state, the International Cargo and Passenger Airport is one of the signature projects of the Ben Ayade administration.
Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Aviation, Dr. Jacob Otu Enyia explained that the project was first advertised in three national dailies in February and opening scheduled for March but was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic prompting a rescheduling for October 27, but was again stalled by the #Endsars protest.
The Commissioner assured of the unwavering political will of governor Ayade towards the realisation of the airport project, citing a provision for it in the 2021 Cross River appropriation bill.
“We are convinced that the Obudu International Cargo and Passenger Airport holds a lot of promise for us as a government and people determined to raise the bar of Industrialisation and tourism in Nigeria”, he said.
The state House of Assembly represented by Nelson Ofem, House Committee Chairman on Aviation, commended the transparent bidding process and urged the executive to ensure that the eventual winner of the bid delivers quality project.
Describing the Airport as the pride of Cross River, he thanked governor Ayade for driving the vision.
Similarly, the three firms that bid for the project lauded the process, describing it as transparent.
They further praised Governor Ben Ayade for the vision and commended him for the fair and open process.
Representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Cross River State Due Process Office witnessed the exercise.
