The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has announced that Section One of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is on course for commissioning in May, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering the landmark project.
Umahi spoke during an inspection tour of the coastal corridor over the weekend, where he decried persistent acts of vandalism along the route, including the cutting of metal fences and the dumping of refuse into maintenance holes.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Francis Nwaze, the minister emphasized that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains determined to complete transformative infrastructure projects despite environmental and engineering challenges.
He explained that the deep soil conditions encountered along the stretch, with pits exceeding 20 metres, have tested engineering capabilities but are being effectively managed.
“We do not doubt that a man who worked with a very courageous president to tame the Atlantic Ocean can always subdue the challenges we have on this coastal route.
“Well, the section where we are is not the most challenging section of this route. This is section one, chainage 34. What we are seeing here is not different from what we saw in chainage 18. From the HITECH data, the pit here is 20 meters deep, averaging 18 to 21 meters deep. At chainage 18, we had about 22 meters of pit, so HITECH conquered it. “
The minister commended HITECH Construction Company for absorbing unforeseen soil-related challenges without requesting any upward review of the contract sum.
“No other contractor can bear this kind of risk. You have proven that you are not working for money, but for the success of the country.”
Umahi disclosed that the three-kilometre segment currently under review is approaching completion, with sub-filling expected to be finalized within days. Once opened, motorists will be able to travel smoothly from Ahmadu Bello Way through Lekki, extending toward the Dangote Refinery axis as Section Two progresses.
“So this section, which is about 3km, I’ve been told that in the next seven days, the entire sub-filling will be done, and then the entire road will be open to traffic. So you can drive all the way from Ahmadu Bello down to Lekki without stopping.
“But this one is not passing through the rainy season, and so I now have a choice to say, you must put the concrete before the end of April, and that will be my risk, but I won’t bear that because we can’t open this project to increase the cost.
“So, what we are doing is, by March, we will do our consolidation test and see what it looks like. And by April, if we have good consolidation, then we will put our CRCP within two weeks and then commission by the 20th May.”
Addressing security concerns, the minister praised law enforcement agencies for stepping up surveillance and warned that offenders would face prosecution. He described vandalism of public infrastructure as dangerous and unacceptable.
“And to address the issue of vandalisation, the issue of cutting our beautiful metal fence, the issue of opening the maintenance holes and dumping refuse there, I thank the Commissioner of Police, I thank the Inspector General of Police, I thank your commitment. I’ve seen several vehicles. Anyone who is caught should be taken to court immediately. We have our seven-man SAN that will handle any litigation regarding this route.
“And for the maintenance hole, we have to find a way to temporarily seal it so that they can’t easily open it. But we have a duty to talk to our people. It is satanic for people to cut the metal fence. It is satanic for people to open the maintenance hole and dump refuse there.”
He also hinted that Section Two of the highway would be delivered before the end of the year, while all bridges across both sections are expected to be completed by April next year.
Reflecting on political opposition to the project, Umahi maintained that the administration remains undeterred.
“Some people are not happy because they thought we were going to fail. They thought the president would fail. But when God brings you on board, no power can bring you down.”
He further defended the economic direction of the Tinubu administration, pointing to improvements in macroeconomic indicators.
“This president has eight years to retake our country. And so those who are not happy should go and complain to God… you can see all the indices for our macro-economy: the stability of the naira, our foreign reserve at $49b, inflation down to about 15%. These are not magical.”
The minister applauded President Tinubu for approving the resumption of payments to contractors but issued a firm warning regarding the misuse of Advance Payment Guarantees, stating that contractors who have collected funds without returning to site would no longer be tolerated.
“My directive is clear: anyone owing APG must return to the site and use it for work. I will not pay for certificates while you are holding government money for four or five years. That time is gone.”
Umahi reaffirmed his resolve to partner with the president in executing critical infrastructure projects nationwide, describing the mission as a collective national duty that requires commitment, discipline, and faith.
