The Cross River State government has started the development of the phase one of a Haulage City that would decongest the city of daily increasing traffic caused by the increase in the volume of investment in the state.

The 100 hectares facility will have ultra-modern social infrastructures and amenities found in modern cities globally.

Some of the facilities are housing, schools, shopping Centre and they are to be expanded to the already acquired 3,000 hectares of land in Odukpani Local Government Area in the outskirt of Calabar, the capital of the state.

Addressing reporters at the construction site for the new city, Governor Ben Ayade said the city, which would be completed in 18 months, would decongest the city centre as well as regulate the voluminous traffic now experienced in Calabar, as a result increased businesses.

According to him, the state is providing a complex where it can regulate, provide parking facilities, especially to tankers and make available all the facilities needed.

He added that, the project would not cost the government any money other than equity participation, as so many companies had indicated interest in developing the city which he stressed would soon turn to a business hub and recover their investment from the operation as well as generate revenue for the government.