Shettima gave the assurance on Monday while representing President Tinubu at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally held at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
He thanked the people of Cross River for their support of the Tinubu administration over the past three years, describing the relationship between the government and the state as “an alliance of prosperity, an alliance of opportunity.”
The Vice President called on the electorate to renew the mandates of Tinubu, Governor Otu and other APC candidates seeking legislative positions, arguing that the party deserved another opportunity to continue its development agenda.
He, however, emphasised that elected officials must remain accountable to the people and demonstrate commitment to improving their living conditions.
Speaking on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Shettima said the project would transform transportation and economic activities along Nigeria’s coastline by connecting communities and making the movement of people and goods easier.
According to him, the highway would also stimulate tourism, attract investments and generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities for Nigerians.
He maintained that the project would create new economic opportunities for Cross River and other coastal states by improving connectivity and facilitating commercial activities.
On the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport, the Vice President disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the project, expressing confidence that it would become an important international maritime gateway when completed.
He said the seaport would attract major shipping companies, create employment opportunities and position Cross River State to benefit more significantly from Nigeria’s maritime economy.
Shettima noted that the combination of the coastal highway and deep seaport would strengthen the state’s economic potential, particularly in trade, logistics, tourism and related industries.
The Vice President also highlighted the Federal Government’s student financing initiative, describing it as an important intervention aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents and expanding access to higher education.
He explained that the initiative was designed to ensure that financial difficulties would not prevent qualified Nigerian students from pursuing their academic ambitions.
According to him, investing in education and human capital development remains essential to building a productive population and securing the country’s economic future.
Shettima urged Cross River residents to support the APC in 2027, maintaining that a renewed mandate for Tinubu and Otu would provide an opportunity for the administration to consolidate its development programmes and complete major infrastructure projects.
He called on the people to sustain their support for the ruling party, expressing confidence that the proposed projects and other government interventions would contribute to the economic transformation of Cross River State.
