The Federal Government is set to finalise the alignment and procurement process for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway section in Ondo State, Minister of Works Dave Umahi confirmed on Wednesday.
Speaking to journalists upon his arrival at Akure Airport at 6:09 p.m, Umahi emphasised the government’s commitment to fast-tracking the multi-billion-naira coastal highway project.
“We want to conclude the alignment so that we can procure it and start work,” Umahi stated, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a 700-kilometer mega-infrastructure project designed to boost connectivity and economic growth along Nigeria’s coastline. Spanning nine states, the highway is expected to improve trade, tourism, and transportation efficiency.
The federal government awarded the contract to Hitech Construction Company Ltd. under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) model, where the contractor assumes most financial and construction risks while the government provides counterpart funding.
Providing an update on Section 1 in Lagos, Umahi revealed that work on the 47.47-kilometer stretch, which began in March 2024, is progressing well. He projected that 30 kilometers would be ready for commissioning by May 2025.
However, he noted that parts of this section required extensive excavation and sand-filling due to years of refuse accumulation. After conducting settlement tests, construction resumed with stability confirmed.
To reduce costs and minimize bridge construction, Umahi announced that parts of the highway in Ondo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states would be redesigned. Shifting to an upland route would eliminate approximately 90% of the originally planned bridges, making the project more financially viable.
For Section 3, President Bola Tinubu has approved an alignment covering 65 kilometers through Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. This section is further divided into 3A (Cross River) and 3B (Akwa Ibom), with contracts already awarded and preparations underway for an official flag-off.
Umahi also confirmed that the highway would be tolled upon completion to generate revenue for maintenance and servicing.
Once the alignment finalisation in Ondo is concluded, the government is expected to commence work on the state’s section, along with others in the pipeline, following the planned flag-off of Section 3.
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