Recounts Prospects of Renewed Hope Legacy Projects for Economic Prosperity
By Jabiru Hassan, Kano
The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, has commended the progress and quality of work on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as a hallmark of excellence and innovation in road infrastructure under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration.
During an inspection of Sections I and II of the project in Lagos on December 20, 2024, handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd, Sen. Umahi emphasized the transformative potential of the highway, which is set to enhance Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
Speaking on the project’s additional features, the minister announced plans to revise the contract to include significant enhancements.
“We’re going to plant trees, and, of course, we’ll have lay-bys every five kilometers, where CCTV cameras will be connected,” Umahi stated. “We’ll also have vehicles and security personnel stationed in cabins to ensure a 10-minute response time, similar to what we implemented on the Third Mainland Bridge. This approach will be replicated across the entire 750-kilometer stretch to Calabar, with the entire route under solar-powered CCTV surveillance.”
He also detailed plans to integrate viewing centers, security posts, and rest areas along the highway, ensuring improved safety and usability.
On the need for a contract review, Umahi explained, “Service lanes and CCTV cameras were not initially included in the design. There was no provision for the removal of topsoil or debris, which are now critical components of the project.”
Umahi praised President Tinubu’s vision in initiating legacy projects designed to connect critical economic corridors and strengthen the transportation ecosystem across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. He confirmed that work on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, along with other Renewed Hope projects and inherited initiatives, remains on track, with some sections expected to be commissioned by May 2025.
“Work is progressing steadily on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,” Umahi said. “In Section I of the South West zone, we are confident that 20 kilometers will be ready for commissioning by May 29. Similarly, in Section II, 10 kilometers will be completed. These efforts reflect the President’s dedication to road infrastructure development, despite competing priorities in other critical sectors.”
He highlighted the integration of train tracks into the highway project, adding that construction of the train tracks for Section I will commence in 2025.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Olukorede Kashia, spoke about initial challenges faced during the project’s preliminary stages, including unexpected refuse dumps requiring extensive clearing and soil replacement.
“We encountered significant obstacles, such as refuse dumps of up to five meters deep in some locations,” Kashia said. “The contractor has since replaced the debris with ocean-sourced sand filling, ensuring a solid foundation for the project.”
Additional remarks were made by the Acting Director of Highways Road Design, Engr. Saidu Musa, and the Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company Ltd, Mr. Dany Abboud, who reaffirmed their commitment to timely project delivery.
