Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has assured Nigerians that the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be completed as scheduled by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Umahi gave the assurance on Wednesday during an inspection of ongoing construction work on the Ondo section of the highway in Ilaje Local Government Area.
The minister dismissed criticisms of the project, saying some opponents doubted the government’s ability to deliver the ambitious infrastructure project.
According to him, the first section of the highway, covering 7.47 kilometres from Victoria Island to Elepe village, has been completed, while the second section, stretching about 50 kilometres from Lagos to the Ogun border, is about 70 per cent done.
He added that Sections 3A and 3B, covering approximately 67 kilometres, are progressing, with work reaching about 30 per cent completion. Section 4, spanning about 82 kilometres through Ogun and Ondo states, is also ongoing.
Umahi said the Akwa Ibom section, which covers about 180 kilometres, is the longest stretch of the project and construction activities are underway there. He noted that another 100-kilometre section is currently at the design stage, while remaining portions will pass through Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states.
Addressing concerns raised by former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke and other critics, Umahi said the project was conceived years ago but could not proceed due to funding and other challenges.
He also explained that the highway’s alignment was adjusted based on engineering considerations, particularly after soil tests revealed deep layers of peat in some areas.
According to him, the presence of peat deposits, some extending 40 to 50 metres deep, made the original route technically challenging and required a redesign to ensure the highway’s stability.
Umahi praised the contractor handling the project, saying the construction work was progressing steadily and would deliver a quality road network that would benefit communities along the corridor.