In a significant infrastructure update, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced at the 3rd stakeholders meeting of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate commencement of sections three and four of the project. Construction will begin from Cross River and Akwa Ibom states as the federal government advances the project’s procurement process.
Umahi stated, “Mr. President has directed that section 3, starting from Calabar, and section 4, starting from Akwa Ibom, should commence immediately. We are concluding the procurement process. For those questioning why not start in Calabar, the zero point is Lagos, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, President Tinubu has directed that sections 3 and 4 begin from the end of the project to ensure progress from both ends.”
He added that subsequent sections, such as 5 and 6, will likely begin in locations like Port Harcourt and Bayelsa. “Sections five and six will start in places like Port Harcourt and Bayelsa. The first section is 47.7 kilometers, an ambitious project for any state or interstate road,” he noted.
This announcement follows recent changes to the highway’s alignment to avoid ancestral lands and protect critical infrastructure, including submarine cables in Lagos State. Umahi revealed that the highway would divert away from the shoreline for 9 kilometers before reverting to its original route, safeguarding installations like the 2Africa submarine cable and a 50-megawatt power plant, which are crucial for national security and the internet gateway.
Spanning 700 kilometers, the coastal road aims to link Lagos and Calabar, two major economic hubs, traversing key cities and states along the Nigerian coastline. The project encompasses multiple sections, each designed to optimize efficiency and address the diverse needs of the communities it serves.
At the heart of the project lies a commitment to excellence and innovation. Section one, totaling 47.47 kilometers, has been comprehensively redesigned to prioritize functionality and aesthetics. “We have fully redesigned section 1, ending at Lekki, at Eleko in Lekki. This section has been fully awarded and procured, ensuring that our alignment decisions have a human face,” Umahi highlighted.
Despite significant challenges, the design of section 2 has also been concluded. “We have awarded section 2, starting from Lekki deep sea port to the border of Ogun and Ondo States. This section includes complex designs involving train tracks, flyovers, and roads at different levels,” he explained.
Umahi assured that the coastal highway will feature “befitting” tourism centers along its 700-kilometer stretch, bringing prosperity to the region. “The new corridor will have tourism centers, with land made available for development. This will create opportunities for Nigerians and enhance the country’s tourism,” he said.
The project’s environmental impact has been carefully considered, with multiple certifications obtained to safeguard its integrity. Addressing criticisms, Umahi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, emphasizing adherence to procurement regulations. “This project is complex, costing 4 billion naira per kilometer for Section 1 and 5.16 billion per kilometer for Section 2, which includes eighteen bridges and ten pedestrian bridges,” he clarified.
Umahi also restated plans for two spurs linking the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway: the Sokoto-Badagry highway and the Enugu-Cameroon highway. “We intend to link this road to a road from Sokoto to Badagry and another from Enugu to Cameroon. These routes will enhance trade and connectivity within and beyond Nigeria,” he said.
As preparations for the project’s inauguration gather momentum, anticipation among stakeholders continues to mount. The official flag-off ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, May 26, marks the beginning of a transformative journey for Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape.
In conclusion, the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway stands as a testament to Nigeria’s ambition and determination to progress and prosperity. With construction set to commence in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, the project represents hope for a brighter future for all Nigerians. The challenge now lies with President Tinubu and Works Minister Umahi to prove skeptics wrong and complete this ambitious project on time.