President Bola Tinubu, in a significant move, flagged off the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos on Sunday.
This highway, once completed, is expected to revolutionize transportation in Nigeria, connecting nine states along the coastal shoreline and linking the A1, A2, A3, and A4 highway corridors vertically across the western, central, and eastern regions of the country, north to south.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, President Tinubu emphasized the economic benefits of the project, stating that it will bolster the unique economic strength of each zone it traverses.
The coastal highway is set to start from Lagos and terminate in Cross River State, with a spur extending to the north-central part of the country.
Additionally, President Tinubu virtually flagged off the design and procurement for the 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which will connect Sokoto to Badagry in Lagos State, passing through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, and Oyo States.
He also initiated the design and procurement for the 461km Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Road, which will traverse Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, terminating at Apo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The President, who was in Lagos as part of activities marking his administration’s first anniversary, also virtually flagged off the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
He commended the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, for his diligence and efforts towards the qualitative execution of the strategic coastal highway project.
President Tinubu praised the Chairman of Hitech Construction Company, Ambassador Gilbert Chagoury, and Engr. Ronald Chagoury, whose company is handling the project, for their commitment and belief in the future of Nigeria.
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He expressed confidence in the successful completion of the project, highlighting its significance for future generations and as a symbol of hope, unity, and prosperity.
The President emphasised that the construction of the coastal highway would provide direct employment for thousands of people and indirect jobs for tens of thousands, opening economic opportunities for millions of people and facilitating economic development.
He urged the establishment of more export processing zones along the coastal states to take advantage of the project’s benefits.
Umahi, the Minister of Works, announced that President Tinubu had directed that sections 3 and 4 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project should commence from Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, respectively.
He assured that due process was followed in awarding the contract for the transformative project, praising President Tinubu as a visionary and courageous leader.
The Oniru of Iruland in Lagos State, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, and three Governors – Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, and Mr. Hope Uzodinma of Imo – also expressed their support for the project, describing it as a landmark initiative that will benefit the nation.
