President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday in Lagos, officially commenced the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a project set to revolutionize transportation in Nigeria and strengthen the unique economic capacities of each region it traverses.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), stated that the President made this announcement from the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island. The highway, crossing nine states along Nigeria’s coastal shoreline, will link major highways A1, A2, A3, and A4, thereby vertically connecting the western, central, and eastern regions from north to south.
Starting from Lagos and terminating in Cross River State, the coastal highway will also feature a spur extending to the north-central part of the country.
From Victoria Island, President Tinubu also virtually flagged off the design and procurement for the 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry Highway, expected to connect Sokoto to Badagry in Lagos State, passing through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, and Oyo States. Additionally, he inaugurated the design and procurement for the 461km Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Road, which will traverse Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, ending at Apo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In Lagos for his administration’s first anniversary, President Tinubu also initiated the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
President Tinubu commended the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, for his diligent efforts towards the coastal highway project. He also praised the Chairman of Hitech Construction Company, Ambassador Gilbert Chagoury, and Engr. Ronald Chagoury, whose company is handling the project, for their commitment to Nigeria’s future.
“Together, we worked to tame the Atlantic, and we turned a disaster into a great asset of value. We lost weight and took insults, but eventually, we tamed the Atlantic. We achieved our goals,” the President said, recalling the successful execution of a project to prevent the Atlantic Ocean from encroaching on critical sections of the Lagos shoreline.
Highlighting the significance of the coastal highway, President Tinubu stated, “The determination to build a nation of prosperity is possible. We said we would build this road, and we are determined to do it. Do not be afraid. We will do this road, and it will be a success for Nigeria, and we will do even more of this.”
The project, expected to provide direct employment for thousands and indirect jobs for tens of thousands, will open economic opportunities for millions, fast-track economic development, and improve access to production and marketing centers for 30 million people. It will also complement Nigeria’s maritime industry expansion following the United Nations’ recent decision to grant Nigeria an extension of its continental shelf by an additional 16,300 square kilometers.
President Tinubu stressed the importance of establishing more export processing zones along the coastal states to maximize these opportunities.
Engr. Umahi announced that the President had directed the commencement of sections 3 and 4 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project from Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, respectively. He assured that due process was followed in awarding the contract for this transformative project, describing President Tinubu as a visionary and courageous leader.
He disclosed that over 40 new projects are ongoing across the country and that all compensations up to kilometer 6 of the Lagos-Calabar project have been paid.
The Oniru of Iruland in Lagos State, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, whose domain the road will traverse, assured the President of the community’s support and called for adequate compensation for the sacrifices made.
Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo expressed their support for the project, highlighting the wide-ranging benefits and confidence it inspires among sub-national governments.
Source: https://newsdiaryonline.com/as-tinubu-flags-off-700km-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway/
