Minister of Works, David Umahi, has described the construction on Section 3A/3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a national investment, not a political favour.
Umahi, who said this during the flag-off ceremony in Awi, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, revealed that he would personally oversee every aspect of the project.
“I take full responsibility for the alignment, the cost, and the contractor. This is a national investment, not a political favour,” he declared, warning under-performing contractors that delays will no longer be tolerated.
He noted that the coastal highway is “a legacy project 27 years in the making,” and commended President Tinubu for “beginning this long-awaited project from Calabar—a powerful statement of inclusion for the South-South region.”
Commenting on the nation’s economic trajectory, Umahi, said: “The worst is over. The reforms are working. Fitch and the World Bank have already acknowledged the signs of our recovery. Nigeria is rising again under President Tinubu.”
Read also: Umahi to flag -off Cross River axis of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Olufunso Adebiyi, stated that the 65-kilometre stretch—38 kilometres of which lies within Cross River State—will be constructed using continuously reinforced concrete pavement technology.
“This project is not just about infrastructure, it’s about integration, growth, and access to essential services,” Adebiyi said, noting that the highway will include dual carriageways and a provision for a future railway line within a 190-metre-wide corridor.
He also called on host communities to cooperate fully to ensure the smooth execution of the project.
Governor Bassey Otu, described the commencement of construction on Section 3A/3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a historic breakthrough for Cross River State and the South-South region.
Section 3A/3B is about 65km to 70km long, and the Section 3A of the road links Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, and other states in the South-South and South Eastern part of the country.
