The people of Ibeno Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State have staged a peaceful rally in support of the proposed Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway. The demonstration took place at the Local Government Council Secretariat, with participants chanting solidarity songs and calling for the project to pass through their community.
Dressed mostly in white, the protesters lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for the proposed routing of the highway through Ibeno local government area.
Vice Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Council, Ukpong Okon, who represented the Executive Chairman, commended the protesters for their peaceful approach and assured that the council would work with relevant agencies to ensure the successful execution of the project.
Meanwhile, a faction of the neighbouring Eket community has expressed opposition to the highway passing through the Stubbs Creek axis, and recently staged a protest to state their position.
On a recent visit to the area, Governor Umo Eno called for calm, urging the people of Eket to allow peace to reign and avoid disrupting the Coastal Highway project mapped to pass through Stubbs Creek.
The Ibeno protesters maintained that Ibeno, as a coastal local government, is geographically and historically positioned to host the project.
(Editor: Roluke Ogundele)
