President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has greenlit the commencement of construction for Sections 3 and 4 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, extending from Cross River through to Akwa Ibom, announced Works Minister Dave Umahi at a recent stakeholder engagement in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Umahi also revealed plans to potentially terminate the reconstruction and rehabilitation contract for the Lokoja-Benin Road due to prolonged delays and lack of commitment from contractors. He stressed that no compensation would be provided for new structures and cautioned against further encroachment along the highway alignment.
Speaking passionately about the development, Umahi emphasized that the simultaneous advancement of Sections 1 and 2 marks a departure from past practices, underscoring the Tinubu administration’s dedication to bolstering infrastructural development under the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).
Section 1 of the project, originating in Lagos and spanning 47.4 kilometers to the Deep Sea Port, has already commenced. Section 2, which links the Lekki Deep Sea Port to the Dangote Refinery, is also underway. Now, Sections 3 and 4 are set to unfold: Section 3 covers 27 kilometers in Akwa Ibom and 38 kilometers in Cross River, while Section 4 spans a total of 80 kilometers exclusively within Akwa Ibom, amounting to a significant 107 kilometers of coastal highway development in the state.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who echoed his support during the stakeholders’ meeting, commended Tinubu’s commitment to initiating Sections 3 and 4 of the project. Akpabio urged Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno to extend maximum cooperation to the federal government in realizing this pivotal infrastructure.
In addressing the gathering, Umahi underscored the importance of engaging local engineers from Akwa Ibom to contribute to the project, emphasizing the need for collective effort in achieving timely completion.
However, Umahi expressed dismay over the deplorable state of the Calabar-Itu Road and criticized the conduct of some expatriate contractors, labeling their approach as unpatriotic.
As the federal government prepares to launch the next phase of this ambitious highway project, stakeholders and communities along its route anticipate transformative changes that promise to enhance connectivity and foster economic growth across the region.
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