The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has stated that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is being constructed with safety and economic benefits in mind for the people. He also disclosed that the first 20 kilometers will be inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu in May 2025.

Umahi made this disclosure over the weekend during the inspection of the ongoing coastal road, saying the contractor handling the project is working to ensure that this phase is completed before the deadline.

According to the minister, the road will be made up of 10 lanes, six major lanes, and four service lanes. Additionally, the road will be equipped with 24-hour lighting, security posts, medical facilities, and other infrastructure to enhance its economic value.

He mentioned that the government is acquiring land along the corridor for infrastructure that will lead to a return on investment for the road, apart from tolling.

He said: “We are going to be reviewing this contract to accommodate what is not there. There are places like that Landmark where we have to build a retaining wall.”

He added that the entire 750km stretch of the road would be illuminated with solar streetlights, security cameras, security points, as well as trees to protect the road and improve aesthetics.

“We want to make sure that we enhance economic activities along the corridor, reduce travel time at night, and secure the lives and properties of our people,” he said.

Speaking on the commissioning date, the minister said: “Here in section one of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, we are very sure that we will commission the first 20 kilometers and 10 kilometers in section two.

“The good thing is that in this first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Hi-Tech has divided the entire 47 by six lanes into five sections, and every section is doing similar work.

“This is what gives us the conviction to say that we can complete section one by May 2025. That is why we divide the completion into two phases. In section one, we will be commissioning the first 20 kilometers before the end of May 2025, even though another 10 kilometers would have been completed by the end of the job.

“But continuously, we have 20 kilometers to commission, and we will have the road completely sand-filled, awaiting settlement and, of course, the completion of the remaining 17 kilometers before the end of next year.

“By May 2025, we will also have completed 10 kilometers in section two, which is part of the 25 kilometers, and this will stop at the border between Lagos and Ogun states.

“We have been informed by the NNPCL about their gas pipeline along the Ondo and Ogun axis. So we are holding meetings with them to address the issue.

“The people whose properties are involved have been fully compensated. The last time I saw the papers, we had a total of N18 billion in compensation to pay.”

According to Umahi, Tinubu will inaugurate key five projects in each zone by May 2025 to demonstrate the President’s commitment to carrying all zones along.

“Generally, we have directed the controllers to concentrate on a number of projects; at least a minimum of five projects must be commissioned.

“And if we have funding challenges, we have decided to do commissioning in sections. Some of our roads, like the Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna Highway, is a total of 375 kilometers, which is 750 kilometers in total.

“So we may not have all the money in 2025 to complete it. There are four sections, and we are going to be completing a minimum of 50 percent of that road.

“Other roads we are going to give adequate attention to include the Kano-Katsina Road and the Northern Bypass. We are going to give some of these projects a big push. So, we have decided to concentrate on about five projects per zone,” he said.