Manny Ita –
The Federal Government has announced that Section Two of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to be completed by November, while Section One is already nearing full completion and set for inauguration.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this during an inspection tour of the project in Lagos. He explained that several structures currently under construction along the corridor, including flyovers, underpasses and interchanges, are part of Section Two and not Section One.
According to the minister, Section One is substantially completed, with only finishing touches such as landscaping and road shoulders remaining. He also revealed that about 200 metres of pavement was intentionally left unfinished to allow engineers monitor soil settlement in the area before final completion.
Umahi stated that the government may temporarily install flexible pavement if the ground does not stabilise within the expected timeframe, noting that rigid concrete pavement can crack if laid on unstable soil.
He praised the quality of work being carried out by Hitech Construction Company and commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating large-scale infrastructure projects across different parts of the country.
The minister said similar legacy road projects are ongoing in states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Oyo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi and Gombe, describing the spread of projects as evidence of balanced national development.
Umahi further revealed that by November, construction on the coastal highway is expected to extend to the Ogun-Lagos border, while work is also progressing toward Ondo State. He added that motorists may be able to drive from Lagos to Ondo through the new route before next year ends, with construction in Edo State expected to begin afterwards.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, confirmed that Section One of the 47-kilometre project is about 98 per cent complete. He noted that the remaining tasks involve walkways, solar installations and tree planting.
Also speaking during the inspection, Director of Bridges and Design in the Ministry of Works, Musa Saidu, said the project had met all required engineering standards.
Presidential aides Moremi Ojudu and Chioma Nweze described the highway as a transformative economic corridor that would improve trade, transportation and regional connectivity.
Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, described the project as the fulfilment of a long-standing vision first conceived during Tinubu’s time as Governor of Lagos State.
Senator Osita Ngwu also expressed satisfaction with the progress made, saying public doubts about the project had reduced following visible construction achievements on the ground.
