Akor Sylvester, Abuja
The minister of works, Engr. David Umahi, has announced the completion of Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a flagship legacy project of President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi who made the disclosure at a project briefing with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, said the 47.47-kilometer stretch is fully completed and ready for commissioning.
He termed the project as a “beauty to behold,” outlining the progress of the 700-kilometer highway designed to connect Lagos to Cross River and beyond, stimulating economic growth across the coastal states.
The Minister gave a breakdown of the project’s sections, stating that Section 2, which spans 55 kilometers to the Ondo State boundary, is a complex feat of engineering. While a 35-kilometer segment of Section 2 is set for completion next month, the remaining portion involves intricate flyovers and underpasses.
Significant redesigns were necessary, particularly near the Dangote Refinery, to accommodate heavy truck traffic and resolve conflicts between the highway, rail lines, and the 70 Taxi approach. Notably, an 86-meter span with counterforts is being constructed to navigate these challenges, the Minister said.
Addressing the “elephant in the room” regarding public scrutiny and petitions, Umahi defended the engineering decisions taken, particularly regarding terrain.
He stressed that a planned route in the Cross River section would have required passing through 300 meters of deep peat, costing the equivalent of a kilometer of road for every meter built.
The minister said the ministry opted for a detour to avoid such prohibitive costs and technical difficulties, stating that: “We have no regrets for decisions taken”.
Umahi emphasised that the administration is focused on delivering durable infrastructure, noting that the coastal highway is designed to be interconnected with other major legacy projects.
The Minister stated that the road will link with the Sokoto-Badagry Highway and the Trans-Saharan trade route, unlocking vast economic potential.
He projected that the project, funded significantly by external lenders covering 70% of costs for sections 3 and 4, will boost tourism and industrial development.
The Minister also addressed the issue of procurement and quality, while stressing that all legacy projects, excluding the first section, underwent rigorous due process of selective tendering.
He dismissed claims of opacity, noting that external funders subjected the projects to thorough scrutiny. He contrasted the durability of concrete roads, which the administration is prioritizing, with asphalt, stating that concrete is designed to last over 100 years.
Umahi revealed that the unit rate for concrete has been kept competitive, ensuring indigenous contractors are not discriminated against.
While the coastal highway remains a focal point, the Minister briefly touched on other legacy projects. These include the Sokoto-Badagry Highway (1,068 km), which is at various stages of completion, and the Trans-Saharan route connecting Ogoja to Jibiya, which will facilitate trade with the Sahel region.
The Minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to the “Renewed Hope” agenda, stating that the infrastructure being laid down is a gift to the nation that will prosper regardless of political opposition and others.
For a better society
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