Youths and women groups under the Community of Comrades South-South have conducted a guided tour of Section 3A and 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, dismissing claims that the project terminates at Lekki-Epe in Lagos.

The inspection, which drew comrades from across the six South-South states and 18 senatorial districts, was led by the Convener, Comrade Kevin Eyam, who is also Special Assistant to Cross River Governor on Student Affairs, and joined by the South-South Zonal Director for Infrastructure Mobilization and Sensitization for the Presidential Campaign Council 2027, Hon Gift Johnbull.

Speaking during the tour, the Zonal Director said the youths decided to see for themselves rather than rely on mainstream and social media narratives, describing the visit as an act of patriotism.

“Make we see whether this Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway they talk, is it there or e no dey? Na concrete or e no be concrete? That’s why they are here,” he said.

She described the highway as long overdue for the Niger Delta, comparing the region’s swampy terrain to deltas in the Netherlands, Vietnam, Bangladesh and USA where durable roads exist, and credited President Bola Tinubu’s political will, Minister Dave Umahi’s competence and Hitech’s technology for deploying concrete technology.

“The East-West road is the spine of our region. For 20 years, four contractors have come with over 70% cost increase, yet we still have bad sections. But this time, we are using what does not fail – concrete roads and pylons,” she said, declaring that South-South is 100% for Tinubu.

Comrade Eyam said the group was shocked at the level of work on ground, contrary to claims by critics that the road does not exist beyond Lagos.

“I don’t need a soothsayer to tell me that Mr President means well for Cross River State and Nigeria. Even street light poles are concrete. Young people are gainfully employed here. Upon hearing we arrived, youths mobilized to receive us – that shows acceptability and ownership,” Eyam said.

Site Engineer for Section 3B, Engr Charbel Karam, said the highway is designed with reinforced concrete pavement (275mm thick), solar lighting, CCTV cameras, relief stations, train tracks between carriageways, cable channels and windmill energy, with emergency response time not exceeding 10 minutes.

He disclosed that 6.5km of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) with barriers, street lights, walkways, V-drains and box culverts have been fully completed on both sides, with another 15 to 20km at advanced stage, leaving only the swampy section which he said would be ready within two to three months.

Representing the Federal Controller of Works, Cross River, Engr Monday Ogbibe, said 5km of CRCP has been done in the Awi section of 3B, while Federal Controller of Works, Akwa Ibom, Engr Okoduwa Vincent, disclosed that Section 3A has achieved about 9km of CRCP and 18% overall completion.

Vincent explained that after site clearance, removal of unsuitable materials up to 7 meters thick, sub-grade approval and introduction of sub-base materials including dredging sand in swamp areas, CRCP is laid.

He clarified that the 750km coastal road alignment remains intact, noting that the Minister’s reference to a spur to the East-West road was misconstrued.

“90% compensation has been duly paid in Akwa Ibom. The remaining 10% is due to realignments to avoid deeper swamps. Communities are happy and cooperative,” he said, adding that Section 3A is 41km in Akwa Ibom and Section 3B is 30km in Cross River, totaling 71km for both states.

The groups called on Niger Deltans not to badmouth their own project but to support its completion.

Traditional, women and youth leaders who spoke llauded President Tinubu for the project which they described as critical to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, noting that Sections 3A and 3B will unlock the South-South corridor to trade, investment and tourism.