LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY PROJECT WILL BE ON CONCRETE PAVEMENT..... Says Umahi

Engr Umahi during his inspection visit to the site of the ongoing super Highway Project in Lagos recently

"Upon completion, the coastal highway will go through to Lekki Deep Sea Port Road, then to Port Harcourt, to Calabar with two spurs, one of the spur is under phase II going from a point along the coastal road to the ongoing Badagary-Sokoto Road and another spur too along the Ogoja axis of the Trans Sahara trade route." Umahi.

"The phase one will be about 650km which consists of two service lanes with four carriageways both sides and a provision for a rail line in the middle of the road."

The Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi has inspected the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos recently.

The super highway shall be funded and constructed by HiTech Construction Company under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The Minister explained that upon completion, the coastal highway will go through to Lekki Deep Sea Port Road, then to Port Harcourt, to Calabar with two spurs, one of the spur is under phase II going from a point along the coastal road to the ongoing Badagary-Sokoto Road and another spur too along the Ogoja axis of the Trans Sahara trade route. The phase one he added will be about 650km which consists of two service lanes with four carriageways both sides and a provision for a rail line in the middle of the road.

“The highway shall have multiple spurs that will connect major towns and cities, including a spur connecting Ogoja-axis of the trans Sahara trade route. The phase one he added will be about 650km which will consist of two service lanes with four carriage ways on both sides with a rail line in the middle of the road." He said.

Umahi added that the project is going to be a major breakthrough under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has asked him to “fast track this project because it is going to be a catalyst towards the economic development of this country."

The Minister, in a statement issued and signed by Clement Ezeorah, Assistant Director Information (Press and Public Relations Unit), on behalf of the Director Information, pleaded with the Lagos State Government on the permission to acquire the Right of Way on the road corridor to prevent encroachment and possible disturbances during and after construction.

He said the project would promote tourism, have industrial clusters including hotels, factories, housing estates and several other facilities.

“So, this is beautiful, it will promote tourism, have industrial clusters including hotels, factories, housing estates and several other facilities” He said

Umahi disclosed that the highway is going to be built on concrete road pavement which he said will bring the concrete road construction to the next level and it is happening during this administration.

Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat stated that the project is of public interest, a laudable and a welcome development that will serve Nigeria and its citizens enormously.

He noted that the provision of right of way is the state’s responsibility and must be released for a sustainable road to be delivered for the Nigerian citizens.

He admonished the general public to desist from building on right of way because all right of ways in the state has been gazetted by the state House of Assembly. 

He thereafter expressed his satisfaction with the Federal Government on the construction of the Coastal Highway saying it will boast the economic growth of the country in general.

With the Honourable Minister at the inspection were the Director Highways South West, Engr. Adedamola Kuti, the Director Bridges, Engr. Awosanya, The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr. (Mrs.) Korede Kesha; and the Managing Director of HiTech Construction Company.