David Umahi, minister of Works, has dismissed criticisms of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, insisting that contrary to claims on social media, the project has an extensive drainage system and is being executed with high engineering standards.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the coastal road on Monday, Umahi said the project was the only one of its kind in the country with an extensive drainage system.
“This is the only project in the whole country where you have 750 kilometers of roads and 750 2x of underground drainage all through,” he told journalists. “What was on social media was very misleading. There are bound to be problems where a project is not completed.”
The minister explained that a recent incident of erosion at a section of the road was being addressed, stressing that the ministry and contractors were deploying new technology to safeguard the project.
“In fact, when we had done the concrete pavement, we had just about three meters for the ocean to break into that carriageway. We had to fight the ocean,” Umahi said.
“We brought in geotextile to ensure the ocean does not leach into the sharp sand. On top of that, rocks are being layered at different levels. This is quite a lot of work and could be seen as a project on its own.
“I don’t know why people take so much delight in dishing out false information. We have 750 kilometers of underground drainage by two, which is 1,500 kilometers of underground drainage. You can see the pipes for yourselves,” he added.
Commending Hitech Construction Company, Umahi said the contractor had demonstrated “courage and commitment” beyond profit-making.
“No one else would have done this. There are so many unwritten things being done here for the stability of the job. It takes people that are committed to the development of the country,” he noted.
Taking a swipe at critics who questioned the project cost without visiting the site, Umahi argued that the terrain and soil conditions made construction far more complex than in other parts of the country.
“Is the cost of one kilometre of road here the same as in Sokoto or Enugu? People sit under air conditioners and analyse without knowledge. Come to the site, analyse the soil textures, analyse the pits, and then you will understand,” he said.
He challenged critics to an open debate, saying: “It took us five years to read this thing (civil engineering) and 30 years in the field to understand what is going on. That is why this work is progressing. I have offered debate, anyone who feels otherwise, let us debate.”
On the controversy over reported plans to spend trillions of naira on Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge, Umahi clarified that the Federal Government had not approved any figure for the repair or reconstruction of the bridges.
Concerns arose after reports circulated that the government had earmarked about N3.8 trillion for the projects.
“What we presented to the Federal Executive Council was not a request for money,” he said. “We asked for approval to invite a minimum of seven global contractors to carry out investigations, designs, and bids. No approval has been given for any figure. We only cited Berger’s estimate, which we don’t trust, and we want to compare with other experts globally.”
Umahi revealed that assessments dating back to 2013 showed that both Carter and Third Mainland bridges were suffering structural degradation from chlorination, rusting of piles, sand mining, and ocean scouring.
He added that while a consultant suggested demolishing and rebuilding Carter Bridge as a cable bridge for about ₦359 billion, the government opted for wider consultation before making any decision.
“Whatever is finally decided will not be a one-man show,” Umahi assured. “We will also bring in the private sector, whether for rehabilitation or new construction, and they will toll it.”
