President Bola Tinubu has officially commissioned the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway along with several key road infrastructure projects across Nigeria, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to local content, technology transfer, and sustainable national development.
At a ceremony held in Lagos on Saturday, President Tinubu hailed the milestone as a transformative step in connecting Nigeria’s coastal regions, spanning nine states from Lagos to Cross River. The commissioned section runs from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village Area in the Lekki Peninsula.
“This iconic project will unlock the economic potential of our coastal cities. I said we would do it, and we did. We averted a disaster greater than a tsunami in Victoria Island and Ikoyi,” the President said, commending the engineering efforts of Hitech Construction Company Limited and lauding their use of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement for enhanced durability.
The President used the opportunity to issue a stern warning to real estate developers and contractors flouting urban planning regulations. He said developers who ignore legal building setbacks or fail to secure approvals would no longer receive compensation.
“Let me warn all developers: the Federal Government will enforce setbacks. We have gazetted and published them. Non-compliance will not be tolerated,” he declared.
President Tinubu also directed the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and other officials overseeing federal projects to ensure strict adherence to local content laws, including the training of Nigerian engineers and technology transfer.
Highlighting the administration’s focus on national unity and development, the President commissioned an extensive list of road and bridge projects across all six geopolitical zones:
- South-South: Rehabilitation of the Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road; dualisation of Eleme Junction to Ahoada on the East-West Road; Alesi-Ugep section in Cross River; and the East-West Road from Port Harcourt to Onne Port Junction.
- South-East: Rehabilitated Enugu-Port Harcourt Road (Enugu-Lokpanta Section); new Akpoha bridge in Ebonyi State; and reconstruction of the collapsed Enugu Bridge at New Artisan Market.
- South-West: Expansion of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway; Ikorodu-Shagamu Road; Eko Bridge repairs; and the Deep-Sea Port Access Road via Epe.
- North-Central: Construction of the Shendam Bridge in Plateau State; Ilobu-Enrile Road in Kwara and Osun.
- North-East: Commissioning of the Jimeta Bridge in Yola, Adamawa State.
- North-West: Reconstruction of Yakasai Badume-Damargu-Marken Zalli Roads; Kano-Kwanar Danja-Hadeja Road; and Kano-Tsalle section of Kano-Jigawa highways.
The President also flagged off several new projects including the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha-Akure-Benin Road, the Nembe-Brass Road, and key bypasses and carriageways in Enugu, Kano, and Maiduguri.
Minister of Works David Umahi disclosed that N18 billion had been paid in compensation to those affected by the Lagos-Calabar Highway project. He emphasized that sustainability and the well-being of Nigerians remain central to the government’s infrastructure agenda.
The ceremony drew a host of dignitaries including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, governors from 11 states, and leading industry figures such as Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Tony Elumelu.
Senate President Akpabio assured the President of continued legislative support to drive infrastructure development and economic revitalization.
President Tinubu closed his remarks with an appeal for national patience and optimism: “Hope is here. Our economy is recovering, foreign exchange is stabilizing, and food prices are coming down.”