Victor Ezeja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to inaugurate the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and other projects across the country as part of activities to mark his one year in office.
The President, who will celebrate the first anniversary of his administration on 29 May, arrived Lagos on Saturday ahead of the project inauguration which will take place on Sunday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelEstimated to cost N15 trillion, the 700 kilometre highway project which will connect nine coastal states, has been awarded to Hitech Construction Limited.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will also commission other projects on Sunday and return to Abuja on Tuesday to continue commissioning other projects done by his administration in last one year.
The statement said: “In Lagos on Sunday, the President will inaugurate the concrete-paved road to the nation’s major ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island. The reconstructed road which began under the Muhammadu Buhari Administration was financed by the Dangote Group, using its tax credits.
“On the same day, President Tinubu will formally inaugurate, by virtual means, the refurbished Third Mainland Bridge, which has drawn public acclaim for its excellent finishing and aesthetic furnishing. He will also commission, virtually, the rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the country.
“The highpoint of the President’s engagements on Sunday will be the inauguration of the iconic Lagos-Calabar Superhighway, estimated to cost about N15 trillion. Work has begun on the legacy project that will connect nine coastal states, with Section Two already awarded to Hitech Construction Limited.
“President Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday to begin another round of commissioning. He will first inaugurate the Southern Parkway, which the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration named after him.
“On Wednesday, the President will attend the National Assembly Dialogue Series, after which he will unveil the National Assembly Library Complex, named after him.
“President Tinubu will leave the National Assembly to relaunch the commercialisation of Abuja Light Rail, also known as Abuja Metro. He will symbolically join a train ride to the city centre.
“The Abuja Metro was completed in 2018 by the Buhari Administration. It was put into commercial use up till 2020. But with the onset of COVID-19, the train service was abandoned. Vandals descended on the facility, putting it out of use.
“FCT Minister Wike, after spending $15 million and building access roads to the various stations, has refurbished it for commercial service.
“After the train ride, President Tinubu will also inaugurate the Wuye Flyover-Link Bridge and the Defence Intelligence Agency Headquarters.
“On Friday 31 May, President Tinubu will commission the NASENI-Portland Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) Reverse Engineering Centre at Utako.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
