The Federal Government has promised that the first phase of the much-anticipated Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, covering a distance of 47 kilometers, will be ready by May 2025.
This assurance was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a recent inspection of the construction work.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, designed to improve transportation and economic links between the coastal states.
Once completed, the 700-kilometer highway will connect Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, to Calabar in Cross River State. It will pass through several states, including Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.
The project, which is expected to cost around N15 trillion, is seen as a critical step towards improving transportation along the country’s southern coast.
Each kilometer of the highway will reportedly cost N4 billion to construct, reflecting the complex engineering work involved.
Umahi expressed confidence that the first 47-kilometer stretch of the highway would be completed by May 29, 2025.
The minister lauded the construction company, Hitech, for the quality of their work and their ability to lay one kilometer of concrete pavement each day.
“I am very happy with the work,” Umahi said, emphasizing that the company was on track to meet the deadline despite challenges along the route.
“People have been asking me about the deadline, and they are counting the months for me. But I have no fear about what Hitech is doing. The quality is good, and the most difficult aspect of the project, which is the settlement of the sand, is being managed well,” Umahi added.
Despite the minister’s optimism, the project has faced some obstacles.
During the inspection, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, explained that an unexpected problem had arisen: a large refuse dumpsite was discovered on the construction path, which had slowed down progress.
“This place where we are standing had a huge deposit of refuse. In some places, it was as deep as five to six meters,” Kesha said.
The refuse had to be excavated and removed, a process that took considerable time and added unexpected costs to the project.
“This is an additional cost because it was not planned for. The refuse will be evacuated and taken to sites far away, like Epe or Ojota, so that the construction can continue,” Kesha added.
She reassured the public that despite the delay caused by the refuse, the impact on the overall timeline of the project would be minimal. She expressed confidence that the contractor would recover the lost time and still meet the May 2025 deadline.
Another issue highlighted during the inspection was the presence of squatters along the highway’s construction route.
According to Senator Umahi, these squatters have been asked to vacate the area voluntarily. However, the minister warned that if they fail to leave, they would be dislodged forcibly.
“We have been asking the squatters along the construction corridor to vacate the site. If they fail to do so voluntarily, we will have to remove them,” Umahi said.
The presence of squatters in the area has been a long-standing challenge for many construction projects in Nigeria, often delaying progress and increasing costs.
The Lagos-Calabar Highway is expected to have a transformative impact on the economy of Nigeria’s southern coastal states.
The highway will improve connectivity between states, making it easier to transport goods and services between the southwest, south-south, and southeast regions of the country.
With Lagos serving as the nation’s commercial center and Calabar a key gateway to the eastern parts of the country, the highway will significantly reduce travel times and enhance trade routes.
The highway is also expected to ease pressure on Nigeria’s existing road network, particularly the Lagos-Benin Expressway, which is often congested with heavy traffic.
Public response to the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar Highway has been mixed.
On one hand, many Nigerians are excited about the prospect of a modern, well-maintained road that will connect the coastal regions and boost economic growth.
“The Lagos-Calabar Highway is long overdue,” said a Lagos-based transporter, Adeola Johnson. “If the government can deliver on this, it will help a lot of businesses, especially in the coastal areas.”
However, others are more skeptical, citing the numerous delays that have plagued road construction projects in the past.
“Nigerians have heard these promises before,” said a Delta State resident, Uche Igwe. “We hope this won’t be another white elephant project. The government needs to make sure this road is completed on time.”
The Lagos-Calabar Highway is just one of many large-scale infrastructure projects currently being undertaken by the Federal Government.
The Buhari administration made infrastructure development a top priority, investing in roads, bridges, airports, and railways across the country.
However, these projects have often been marred by delays, funding issues, and allegations of corruption.
The Lagos-Calabar Highway, in particular, has seen several setbacks since it was first conceived.
Originally proposed in 2014, the project was delayed due to a lack of funding and disputes over contracts. It was only in recent years that the project regained momentum, thanks to renewed government focus and international partnerships.
