Nigeria's Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has announced that the main pavement of the first 105 kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be completed by November 2024. Umahi made this disclosure while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on their nationwide inspection of federal road projects. The minister expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the coastal highway, describing it as unprecedented.
Despite the progress made, Umahi noted that construction is still ongoing on bridges along sections one and two of the project. He emphasized the importance of completing the main pavement, stating that it is crucial for the project's overall success. The minister's comments came as he received the report of the Northwest leg of the Nationwide Federal Roads Project Tour conducted by NANS.
Umahi also expressed concern about the destruction of infrastructure along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, particularly around the Apapa axis. He described the level of destruction as "mind-boggling" and "unacceptable," warning that vandalism could undermine the benefits of major government infrastructure investments. The minister stressed that public infrastructure represents the country's future and should not be damaged.
The minister's comments were in response to NANS' report, which highlighted several instances of infrastructure destruction and recommended measures to improve road safety. NANS undertook the tour to physically assess federal road projects, particularly those providing access to tertiary institutions and student communities. The students' body inspected several major roads across Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Sokoto states.
NANS specifically recommended the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College in Kaduna along the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano route to improve students' safety. The association's report also highlighted other major roads inspected, including the Kano-Kwanar Danja-Hadejia Road, Kano Northern Bypass, and Kano-Maiduguri Road. Umahi responded positively to the request, directing his officials to take note of the recommendation.
The minister promised that the pedestrian bridge would be constructed, adding that the ministry would increasingly consider direct access to tertiary institutions in future road projects. He stated that his director would take note of the recommendation and ensure its implementation. Umahi emphasized the importance of prioritizing road safety and accessibility.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is a significant infrastructure development in Nigeria, aimed at improving transportation and economic growth. The project's progress has been closely monitored by stakeholders, including NANS, which has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that federal road projects meet the needs of students and communities. With the completion of the 105km pavement expected by November, the project is expected to have a positive impact on the region.
Key points
- The 105km pavement of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to be completed by November 2024.
- The project has faced challenges, including infrastructure destruction and vandalism.
- The minister has promised to prioritize road safety and accessibility in future projects.
