By Emmanuella Oghenetega
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commissioned officially, the completed 30-kilometre portion of the 40.7- kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Phase 1, Section I and several others, as well as flagged off the construction of new roads, in the Southern region, symbolically.
The event, which was held in Lagos on Saturday, was performed by the President himself.
The event brought together eminent government officials including; the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume the Governors of Lagos, Ogun, Borno, Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi and Edo States, Captains of Industry, Contractors, Traditional Rulers and other Stakeholders, Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, the Minister of State for Works, Bello M. Goronyo, and other distinguished guests.
The President, in his opening remarks identified the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a flagship project that encapsulates the commitment to infrastructure development as a driver of economic transformation.
He stated, that despite initial skepticism, the project has become a beacon of progress, connecting nine coastal states of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. It is projected to contribute up to US$12 billion annually to Nigeria’s GDP within its first decade.
The President emphasised that the project will ease transportation, reduce costs of travel and vehicle maintenance, as well as travel time, and drive growth across agriculture, industry, tourism, marine, and commerce while creating thousands of jobs and expanding opportunities for Nigerians.
He described the progress as clear evidence of purposeful leadership delivering tangible results.
Speaking, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, described the highway as a game-changer that not only connects nine littoral states but also unlocks vital trade and industrial corridors.
He appreciated the President for the vision and leadership, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for its consideration and approval and the Minister of Finance for providing the counterpart funding.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to national development through the provision of critical infrastructure. He emphasised that enhancing connectivity and fostering regional integration remain vital pillars for sustainable prosperity.
Delivering a Goodwill Message, the Senate President lauded the transformative potential of the project, spotlighting the strategic partnership between the government and private sector entities such as Hitech Construction Company.
He described the highway as a “backbone for economic revitalisation” that will attract investment and create new avenues for economic empowerment.
Others completed road and bridge projects in the Southern part of the country that was symbolically commissioned by the President includes;
i. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Phase 1, Section I (Shagamu-Ibadan) in Ogun and Oyo States,
ii. Ikorodu-Shagamu Road in Lagos and Ogun States,
iii. Lagos-Badagry Expressway (Agbara Junction – Nigeria-Benin Border in Lagos State,
iv. Dualisation of East-West Road, Section II, Subsection I, (Eleme Junction-Ahoada in Rivers State,
v. Upgrading of 15km of the East-West Road (Eleme Junction-Onne Port Junction) in Rivers State,
vi. Construction of a New Bridge to Replace the Near-Collapsed One at Akpoha in Ebonyi State,
vii. Rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Section III (Enugu-Lokpanta) in Enugu State,
viii. Reconstructed Collapsed Bridge at New Artisan Market in Enugu on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and
ix. Alesi-Ugep Road (Iyamoyung-Ugep) in Cross River State.
While those that were flagged off, also symbolically, included;
i. Rehabilitated Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha-Akure-Benin Road in Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Edo States,
ii. Nembe-Brass Road, Section II in Bayelsa State and
iii. Section (107 Kilometres) of the Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriageway in Enugu and Anambra States.
