Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has announced that the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway has been named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in recognition of his long standing vision for the project. He also disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the commencement of an additional 800 kilometres of strategic road projects across the country to improve connectivity and accelerate national development.
According to a report by The Guardian, Umahi made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, where he explained that Tinubu conceived the coastal highway project about 27 years ago while serving as Governor of Lagos State.
The minister said the decision to name the highway after the President was taken following consultations within the Ministry of Works.
“If we start with the Lagos Calabar, 750 kilometres, we have Section One, which is from Victoria Island to Lekki, 47.47 kilometres. The project is a beauty to behold and that highway is named President Bola Tinubu Coastal Highway,” Umahi said.
He noted that the recognition was based on Tinubu’s vision and determination to see the project become a reality.
“He had that dream about 27 years back as Governor of Lagos State. It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualise that dream,” he added.
Umahi also announced that the President had approved an additional 800 kilometres of road projects under the Federal Government’s infrastructure development programme.
He explained that the projects include an extra 400 kilometres for the Fourth Legacy Road Project and another 400 kilometres for the dualisation of the East West Road.
According to the minister, the Fourth Legacy Road Project was initially designed as a 700 kilometre superhighway linking Akwanga in Nasarawa State to Maiduguri in Borno State through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu.
He said the newly approved extension would increase the project’s total length to 1,100 kilometres, extending the corridor through Plateau and Taraba states.
Umahi further disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the reconstruction of the Lagos Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement to improve durability.
He said sections of the existing highway had begun to deteriorate despite being completed less than five years ago.
“The answer is to reconstruct it using reinforced concrete pavement that will last between 50 and 100 years with minimal maintenance,” he said.
The minister also announced the approval for the design, procurement and award of the 5.76 kilometre Lao Bridge in Taraba State.
In addition, he said the President approved the review and completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge project in Taraba State, which was awarded in 2018 but has remained incomplete after reaching about 40 per cent completion.
Umahi also revealed that approval had been granted for the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East West Road, stretching from Lokoja to Benin.
He described the approvals as part of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development and improving transportation links across the country.
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