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The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has revealed that the federal government is redesigning parts of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to avoid having to build bridges across several states of the federation. The redesign, particularly in sections passing through Ondo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa, aims to eliminate nearly 90% of potential bridges, some of which would have spanned up to three kilometres.
Umahi, who spoke during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting on the project’s second phase in Lagos on Sunday, explained that the government’s approach would shift the highway’s alignment to upland areas instead of constructing multiple bridges over water bodies. This strategic adjustment is expected to significantly cut costs while ensuring efficient infrastructure development.
He said, “For the sections of Ondo, the section of Delta, the section of Port- Harcourt, the continuous section in Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa, we are confronted with a lot of bridges, some as long as three kilometres. We don’t want to do that. That is going to cost us a fortune. So, we are redesigning, going to the uplands of the corridor, and so that is going to eliminate about 90% of the bridges so that it will be cost effective and then there will be return on investment. This is what is happening on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, beyond being a road and bridge project, is envisioned as a key economic investment corridor. According to Umahi, the project will stimulate commercial activities, enhance tourism, and support renewable energy initiatives such as windmill power generation. Additionally, the highway will connect with existing roads, further enhancing national integration and accessibility.
The minister said, “And let me say that this is beyond roads and bridges. It is an investment. Along the corridor, we’re going to have a lot of commercial activities. Tourism is going to grow in a very dignified and intensified manner. We’re going to have wind mill energy. This coastal Highway is going to be connected to the existing roads. A lot of them, we inherited.”
Speaking on the Lekki Free Zone section, Umahi noted that the government has designed an 80-meter-span bridge to facilitate seamless truck movement around the Dangote Refinery and other industrial hubs. He assured stakeholders that consultations with relevant parties had been completed, and necessary approvals, including revocation and land enumeration, had been signed by the Lagos State government.
For the next phase, President Bola Tinubu has directed that construction extend into Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, with section 3a awarded in Cross River and section 3b in Akwa Ibom, covering a combined 65km. The formal flag-off of construction in these areas is expected in the coming weeks.
He said, “The numeration of section two has been concluded. The revocation of course has been signed by the Lagos state governor, both sections 1&2.
“For section 3, graciously, Mr. President directed that we should go to Cross River and Akwa Ibom. So, we have awarded section 3a in Cross River, 3b in Akwa Ibom and that’s a total of 65 km by 2. And by next week or upper week, we’ll go there to officially have it flagged off for construction.”
Melissa Enoch
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