By John Alechenu, Abuja

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said President Bola Tinubu envisioned the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Super Highway about 25 years ago while serving as Lagos State Governor.

Umahi said this during an inspection visit to a segment of the 258-kilometre, 3-lane Carriageway (Section 2, Phase 2A: CH 120+000-CH 378+000) in Gulumbe, Kebbi State, which represents a significant portion of the 1,068-kilometre Super Highway.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mohammed Ahmed, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Speaking about the coastal highway project, Umahi noted that “the idea for the Coastal Highway project, which runs from Lagos to Calabar, originated with the President during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, nearly twenty-five years ago,” describing it as a dream come true for him.

The minister also commended the President for approving funds, as well as providing leadership for the construction of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, a section of which was being inspected.

Umahi said, “This is a true reflection of Mr. President’s stance that every region of this country matters, and no region should be left behind or shortchanged.”

Addressing a negative narrative circulating on social media, which he referred to as “darkening counsel without knowledge,” the Minister reaffirmed that the four (4) Legacy Road Projects initiated by the President encompass all six geopolitical zones of the country. He further clarified that when aggregated, the Northern zones account for 52 percent of them.

Speaking during the event, the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, expressed his gratitude to the President for his support and the numerous projects being executed in the state.

He emphasised that the inspection underscores the Administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and transportation as vital enablers of growth, as outlined in the eight-point Renewed Hope Agenda.

Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, Esq., in his speech, said the project “is a promise kept by the President and that the road must be completed,” adding that “Mr. President is passionate about the welfare of every Nigerian, regardless of their origin.”

Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, also said, “As we all know, the world is no longer building infrastructure solely through government funding but exploring innovative financing models. Mr. President, having invested in relationships, both in Nigeria and abroad, finds it easier to engage individuals and partners willing to contribute to funding these massive endeavours.”

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, who welcomed dignitaries to the project site, said: “By the time you are here again, you will see it at a different level.”

Also present during the inspection tour was a former Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Usman Dakingari; Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Usman Ankwai; SSA-P on Community Engagement for the North West Zone, Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai; SSG of Kebbi State, Alh. Yakubu Bala Tafida; Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Abdullahi Umar Farouk; MD/CEO of Hitech Africa Construction Limited, Mr. Dany Abboud, and many others.