…Minister Says Sections of Legacy Road Projects to Be Commissioned in 2025

By John Alechenu

ABUJA – The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has hinted at a possible upward review of the cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which is currently estimated at N15 trillion.

The additional funds are expected to cover tree planting, the installation of CCTV cameras, and other features designed to enhance the socio-economic value of the project.

Umahi made this announcement during a project inspection tour of Sections I and II at the Lagos end of the highway, as stated in a release by his Special Adviser (Media), Hon. Orji Uchenna Orji, in Abuja.

“We’re going to plant trees and set up lay bays. Every five kilometers, we plan to establish a lay bay with CCTV cameras to monitor the entire 750-kilometer stretch to Calabar,” Umahi explained. “The cameras will be solar-powered, and we’ll have security posts with cabins for quick response.”

He further explained that the original design did not include provisions for a service lane, CCTV cameras, or the extensive work now required, such as the removal of topsoil and debris.

Umahi expressed satisfaction with the quality and progress of work by the contractor, Hitech Construction Company Ltd. He described the Lagos-Calabar Super Highway and other ongoing legacy road projects across Nigeria as “a signature of excellence and innovation” by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Umahi also praised President Tinubu for initiating these critical infrastructure projects, which will connect vital economic corridors and improve the transportation ecosystem across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. He stated that these legacy projects and inherited projects are progressing on schedule, with sections expected to be ready for commissioning by May 2025.

“Work is progressing well on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,” he added. “We also have the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the Kebbi section, where work is ongoing. We expect to commission about 20 km in both sections by May 29, 2025.”

The minister also mentioned that the construction of a train track for the Coastal Highway will begin in 2025.

Earlier, during the inspection, the Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Olukorede Kashia, noted unforeseen challenges, such as refuse dumps and deep soil layers, which delayed some aspects of the project. “We had to replace large areas of refuse with good sand filling from the ocean,” he explained.

Other speakers at the event included Engr. Saidu Musa, Acting Director of Highways Road Design, and Dany Abboud, Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company Ltd.