The Federal Government has announced plans to revise the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, reducing it from 10 lanes to six to cut costs. The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, revealed this during an inspection tour of the highway on Friday.
He stated that the revised proposal would soon be submitted to the Federal Executive Council for approval. Umahi explained that the changes were necessitated by variations in design and challenges such as the removal of 10-meter-deep refuse and subsequent backfilling.
He also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s generosity in preserving certain structures as part of the project’s adjustments. Umahi said, “What we are going to do is that we are going to use part of that land to put a service lane for them.” “We are going to be reviewing this contract to accommodate what is not there. There are places like that Landmark where we have to build a retaining wall.”
He further stated that the entire 750 km stretch of the highway would be equipped with solar-powered streetlights, security cameras, and designated security points. Additionally, trees would be planted along the road to enhance its protection and aesthetic appeal. Umahi assured that 20 km of the first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would be completed and included among other key road projects set to be inaugurated by May 29, 2026.
“We have directed controllers to concentrate on a number of projects. “At least a minimum of three projects must be commissioned,” Umahi said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister was joined by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, and other officials from the Ministry of Works during the tour.
The minister refuted claims that the project had been halted, clarifying that four kilometers of concrete road had already been completed.
He said, “For the three legacy projects by the administration, the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, we have cut down the project size to six lanes, especially from sections two, three, and four, it shows you that we mean business.”
“Some people have been writing that we have stopped the project. No project is stopped. As we are talking now, over four kilometres of concrete road has been completed on six lanes.” “We had to establish a new path due to complaints made by MTN on its subsea cable and Okuaja community, we had to reroute not to the new alignment, not to the gazetted alignment but far away from the two, and we came back to a new alignment at kilometre 25.”
“So the work is going and it’s moving smoothly. We have paid the total compensation of close to N10bn. we are not owing and the contractor is highly commended for a very beautiful job, commitment and being very reasonable.” “These projects are investments, and they have inherent returns on investments, By May 29, 2025, we will have completed section one of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.”
Umahi described the project as a strategic investment, emphasizing that once the road is tolled, it is expected to generate enough revenue to recover its cost within 10 years. He highlighted that the tolling system would ensure sustainability by funding maintenance and operations, ultimately enhancing the road’s long-term value and efficiency for users.
