The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has dismissed claims by former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway may not extend beyond Epe, Lagos State, insisting that construction has already progressed beyond the area and is advancing simultaneously across several states.Umahi
Key Highlights:
- says Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has progressed beyond Epe.
- Construction is ongoing simultaneously in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
- Minister says the project is creating thousands of jobs and improving security.
- Defends route alignment, describing it as an engineering and cost-saving decision.
- Urges Niger Delta residents to support the project.
Speaking during an inspection of Section 4B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Ondo State, Umahi said the Renewed Hope flagship infrastructure project of President Bola Tinubu is making steady progress while creating jobs, improving security and opening new opportunities for commerce, agriculture and education.
Responding to Donald Duke’s comments, the minister said developments on the ground have disproved concerns about the project’s viability.
“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is already on course. We have gone beyond the point my brother Donald Duke talked about,” Umahi said.
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He explained that construction is progressing simultaneously across multiple states.
“We are working in Ogun on 28 kilometres, in Ondo on 52 kilometres, in Cross River on 27 kilometres, while the first section in Akwa Ibom is about 47 kilometres and is more than 60 per cent completed. We are also executing the longest section of the project in Akwa Ibom, covering 180 kilometres by dual carriageway.”
Umahi described the highway as more than a transportation project, saying it is designed to stimulate economic growth and improve security across the coastal corridor.
“Roads create employment. We have counted over 1,000 workers employed by HITECH on this section alone. The project is creating direct and indirect jobs, improving security and opening new corridors for commerce, agriculture and education.”
The minister’s remarks were contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nweze.
He welcomed constructive criticism but urged critics to provide practical alternatives.
“If you want to criticise us, criticise us constructively and offer alternatives.”
Umahi reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to completing the project.
“President Bola Tinubu has said this project will be completed, and with God’s help, it will be done.”
He also called on Niger Delta residents to support the project, describing it as a transformational initiative that will reshape the region’s economy.
“The people of the Niger Delta should defend this project because it will benefit them. Those attacking the coastal highway do not have the interest of the Niger Delta people at heart.”
Addressing concerns that the highway’s alignment was altered to benefit private estates, Umahi said the route was changed solely on engineering and economic considerations.
He explained that the original coastal alignment encountered soil deposits up to 50 metres deep, making construction technically difficult and significantly more expensive. It would also have required three ocean bridges measuring about 3.5 kilometres each.
According to the minister, the revised alignment followed President Tinubu’s directive to minimise major water crossings while ensuring the project remained technically and financially feasible.
“The President directed the Ministry of Works to minimise large ocean crossings and rivers as much as possible so that this project can be realised.”
Umahi also commended HITECH Construction Company for its professionalism, quality of work and cordial relationship with host communities.
“We highly commend HITECH for its professionalism, partnership, quality delivery and community-friendly approach. They remain dependable partners in this project.”
Expressing confidence in the project’s long-term value, Umahi said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would stand as one of the most durable road infrastructure projects in Nigeria.
“Under President Bola Tinubu, this country will be rebuilt. These roads are designed to last for the next 100 years with minimal maintenance.”
