Victor Ezeja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday, 31 May, commissioned the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and several major road projects across the country.
The president commended the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, the contractors, and Nigerians, particularly those in Lagos, for supporting the projects.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“It is with great pleasure, pride and a sense of fulfilment that I stand here today to commission the completed part of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway Corridor,” Tinubu stated.
“This is Phase I: Section I: Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village Area in the Lekki Peninsula, a section of the 700km iconic project spanning the coastal areas of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States.
“Let me appreciate the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. (Dr) Nweze David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of State Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Funso Adebiyi and all staff of the Federal Ministry of Works that made today’s commissioning possible. I thank you all for your commitment to this project.
“I congratulate Messrs. Hitech Construction Company Limited for taking this job and showing that Nigerian firms can perform to world standards and achieve excellence in infrastructure development.”
The president excitedly noted that the coastal highway was constructed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement instead of Flexible Pavement, for durability.
According to a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to local content, technology transfer, and the empowerment of Nigerians
The President directed the Minister of Works and other ministers executing projects across the country to ensure full compliance with the laws on local content, training of Nigerians and technology transfer.
READ ALSO: Tolling: Nigerians To Pay For Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road In 10 Years
He emphasised that the government will no longer compensate developers who fail to observe legal building setbacks and approvals, stressing the need for urban planning and the rule of law.
“Let me warn all the developers that the Federal Government will enforce setbacks. If not for anything but for the interest of the nation. Developers who fail to get approvals will not be compensated. We have gazetted and published the setback, and we will enforce it in any way possible,” Tinubu stated.
The President acknowledged Engineer Ronald Chagoury’s role in halting the advance of the Atlantic Ocean and salvaging Victoria Island and Ikoyi, urging more support for the future in “doing the impossible” in building Nigeria’s infrastructure.
“I said that we would do it, and we did. We averted a disaster greater than a tsunami in Victoria Island and Ikoyi,” he added.
The President appealed to Nigerians to be more patient with the government.
“I want to appeal to all Nigerians that hope is here. Our economy is recovering,” he said, highlighting the stability of the foreign exchange and the reduction in food prices.
The president also performed virtual commissioning of several other projects across the country.
The projects commissioned by the President in the South-South region are the rehabilitation of Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road Section II (Ugep-Katsina-Ala) in Benue/Cross River States, dualisation of East-West Road Section II (Sub Section I) Eleme Junction in Port Harcourt – Ahoada in Rivers State; rehabilitation of Alesi-Ugep(Iyamoyung-Ugep) Section in Cross River State. Upgrading of 15km Section of the East-West Road Port Harcourt (Eleme Junction)-Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
For the South-east, he commissioned the rehabilitated Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Section III, Enugu-Lokpanta, in the South East Zone, a new bridge at Akpoha in Ebonyi State to replace the near-collapsed bridge; reconstruction of the collapsed Enugu Bridge at New Artisan Market Enugu-Port Harcourt Road in Enugu State.
Other commissioned projects in the South West Zone are: Rehabilitation, Construction & Expansion of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway Section II in Oyo State; rehabilitation of Ikorodu-Shagamu Road in Lagos State; emergency comprehensive repair of the Eko Bridge (4.1km) in Lagos State (from Alaka, Surulere-Apongbon including all Ramps); the construction of Deep-Sea Port Access Road in Lagos State through Epe to Shagamu – Benin Expressway in Lagos and Ogun States.
In the North Central Zone, President Tinubu commissioned the construction of the Shendam Bridge in Plateau State and the Ilobu-Enrile road in Kwara and Osun States.
In the North East Zone, he commissioned the Jimeta Bridge in Yola, Adamawa State.
In the North West Zone, he commissioned the reconstructed Yakasai Badume-Damargu-Marken Zalli Roads in Kano State and the reconstruction of Kano-Kwanar Danja Hadeja Section II: Kano-Tsalle in Kano and Jigawa State.
News projects
President Tinubu flagged off the following new projects: Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha-Akure-Benin Road in Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Edo States; construction of Nembe-Brass Road; construction of a section of Enugu-Onitsha Carriageway (total length of 107km); and rehabilitation of Zaria-Hunkuyi-Kufur-Gidan Mutum Daya Road in Kaduna/Kano States.
Also, the President flagged off the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri Road, linking Kano-Jigawa-Bauchi-Yobe and Borno States (Section I: Kano-Wudil-Shuarin), which has a Total length of 105km; the construction of Kano Northern Bypass Road in Kano State; and the construction of Maiduguri Bypass Road.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akapbio, assured the President of more support from the National Assembly to reposition the country’s economy.
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.
