The Federal Government has hinted at a possible upward review of the cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, currently estimated at N15 trillion.
The additional cost will accommodate features such as tree planting, Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, and other socio-economic enhancing projects.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, disclosed this during a project inspection tour of Sections I and II of the Lagos end of the project. Umahi emphasized the importance of these additional features, stating that they will enhance the project’s value and provide a safer and more secure environment for users.
“We’re going to plant trees. And of course, we are going to also have some lay bays. We can decide every five kilometers we have a lay bay where we connect all our CCTV cameras,” Umahi explained.
He further stated, “And then we have vehicles and the security within the cabin there, so that the response time will be like 10 minutes. I’m sure that you’ve witnessed what we did at Third Mainland Bridge. That’s what we intend to replicate in all our highways.”
Umahi praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his vision in initiating legacy projects that will connect critical economic corridors and boost the transportation ecosystem in the six geo-political zones.
“The President has given very serious attention to road infrastructure.
Don’t forget that this Coastal Highway and, of course, the four Legacy Projects all have the train track incorporated,” Umahi noted.
He added, “The construction of the train track for this section I is going to take off in 2025. So this is what we are doing. And we believe strongly that the President is going to give the nation of Nigeria the road infrastructure that they have been yearning for.”
The Minister noted that sections of the projects being executed nationwide, including inherited ongoing projects, would be ready for commissioning by May 2025. Specifically, 20 kilometers of the first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and 10 kilometers of the second section will be commissioned by May 29, 2025.
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“We have the Sokoto- Badagry Superhighway. Work is seriously in progress on the project. The first 120 km, work is going on Sokoto. It has been procured. And work is going on by Hitech, using concrete. And then, you have the Kebbi section, 250 km. Work is also going on there. And so, we believe strongly that we’ll be able to have about 20 km in both sections to commission by May 29th,” Umahi said.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the four Renewed Hope legacy projects initiated by President Tinubu, aimed at connecting critical economic corridors and boosting the transportation ecosystem in Nigeria.