The Federal Government has announced that the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway will be tolled immediately after it is completed and officially inaugurated. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this known during an inspection tour of the project on Saturday.
According to the minister, tolling is part of the agreement with the contractor handling the road and will help maintain the highway and protect the huge investment made by the government.
Umahi explained that the government does not want to open the road for public use without first putting the tolling system in place. He said clear plans must be provided by the contractor before the road is commissioned.
“I must emphasize that this road is going to be tolled, and by the contractor, it is part of the package,” Umahi said. “I will be inviting the contractor to give us the programme. I don’t want to open this permanently for traffic and then begin to talk about tolling.”
He added that the contractor must start building the needed tolling and supporting infrastructure before the end of April to avoid delays.
“So, we have to toll this route as soon as we complete it and as soon as it is commissioned,” the minister said.
The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the largest road projects currently being undertaken by the Federal Government. The road is expected to stretch along Nigeria’s coastline, linking Lagos State in the South-West to Cross River State in the South-South, passing through several coastal states.
The project is seen as a major boost to economic activities, tourism, and transportation in the country. When completed, it is expected to improve access to coastal communities, reduce travel time, and open up new opportunities for trade and investment.
The road is also designed to serve as an alternative route to existing highways, many of which are often congested or in poor condition.
Construction of the highway began amid public debate, especially over its cost, route alignment, and impact on the environment and existing buildings. However, the Federal Government has maintained that the project is necessary for national development.
Umahi made it clear that tolling was not an afterthought but part of the original agreement with the contractor, Hitech Construction Company. He said tolling would help ensure regular maintenance of the road and prevent it from falling into disrepair, as has happened with many highways in the past.
The minister stressed that Nigeria could no longer afford to build major roads without proper plans for maintenance.
“This road is too important to be left without a maintenance plan,” he said. “Tolling is the global standard for roads of this nature.”
He noted that opening the road without tolling arrangements could lead to delays, confusion, and possible damage to the road before systems are fully in place.
Umahi also addressed concerns about the cost of the project, especially following challenges encountered during construction. He said the government would not allow any further increase in the project budget.
According to him, all necessary re-measurements have been completed, and the project cost has already been adjusted to reflect changes made to the original plan.
“We have concluded the re-measurements, and we are a country with a lot of other issues,” Umahi said. “We have gone to the Bureau of Public Procurement, so there is no opening to increase the project further.”
The minister revealed that the project had already recorded an increase of about N170 billion due to several unforeseen challenges.
Umahi explained that the increase in cost was caused by factors such as changes in the road alignment, efforts to protect existing high-rise buildings, shore protection work, and the removal of large refuse dumps along the route.
He said that in some areas, refuse dumps were as deep as 15 metres and stretched across several kilometres, making construction more difficult and expensive.
“There were a lot of refuse dumps that had to be evacuated,” he said. “Some were up to 15 metres deep and stretched over many kilometres.”
The minister added that the project had to be diverted in some areas to avoid damaging tall buildings at the beginning of the route and to address serious shoreline issues.
Despite these challenges, Umahi said the contractor had accepted the risks involved as part of its contribution to national development.
“Hitech has to be at this risk, and that is part of its contribution in building our nation,” he said.
The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway has attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians. While many see it as a bold and necessary step toward improving infrastructure, others have raised concerns about its cost, environmental impact, and the decision to introduce tolls.
Some Nigerians worry that tolling could increase the cost of transportation, especially for commercial drivers and low-income earners who rely heavily on road travel.
However, the Federal Government insists that tolling is necessary to ensure the road is properly maintained and does not become another abandoned or damaged highway.
Umahi said the government would ensure that toll rates are fair and that the system is transparent.
By introducing tolls on major highways like the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road, the government hopes to generate funds for regular repairs and long-term upkeep.
Umahi said the aim is not to burden Nigerians but to protect public assets.
“We cannot continue to build roads and allow them to fail after a few years,” he said. “This road must last.”
As construction continues, the Ministry of Works is expected to work closely with the contractor to ensure that tolling infrastructure, safety features, and other supporting facilities are completed on time.
The government has also promised to engage with stakeholders, including state governments and local communities, to address concerns and ensure smooth operation once the road is opened.
When completed, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to stand as one of Nigeria’s most important road projects, linking regions, boosting economic growth, and improving access across the coastal belt.
