Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has launched the construction of a 365-kilometer railway line connecting Calabar to Obudu. The project, a Public-Private Partnership initiative with Messers Reinhoke LLC, aims to expand the state’s infrastructure and boost economic growth.
The railway line will cover approximately 365 kilometers with main terminals in Calabar and Obudu, and three sub-stations at Ugep, Ikom, and Ogoja. The project’s estimated cost is $350 million, funded through equity investments, debt financing, and significant backing from the state government.
Governor Otu emphasized the project’s importance, citing the state’s strategic location as a frontier to Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Sao Tome, and Principe, and its status as home to the largest export processing zone in Nigeria. The railway line will facilitate intra-state movement, serve as an evacuation corridor for goods and services within international borders, and boost international trade.
The governor expressed optimism that the project would trigger the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and entrepreneurial spirit. He urged the construction company to meet the stipulated timeline and encouraged communities to cooperate and apply for sub-jobs based on their capacities and set-skills.
Stanley Orji of Rinehooke Investments LLC assured the company’s commitment to contractual obligations and project execution within the agreed timeframe. He highlighted the project’s potential to attract investments, stimulate job creation, and encourage new businesses, making Cross River an attractive destination for local and international investors.
