The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the ongoing construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, despite multiple legal challenges posed by aggrieved landowners. Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this clear during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, addressing concerns surrounding the N15.36 trillion project.
Umahi emphasized that all legal and procedural requirements were met before the commencement of the project, which has been under intense public scrutiny since construction began in March 2024. The highway, which will be built on a concrete pavement, is intended to enhance connectivity across Nigeria's coastal states, linking Lagos to Cross River.
The project, however, has faced backlash from property owners along the proposed route, with around 750 houses marked for demolition. Many affected landowners have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's compensation offers, arguing that the payments are grossly inadequate. Olanrewaju Ojo, the founder of Leisure Games, who received a compensation of N1.3 million, criticized the amount, stating, “This is ridiculous! What am I supposed to do with this? I will make this in a week.”
Despite these challenges, Umahi defended the project’s procurement process, stating that it was approved by the Federal Executive Council under the Restrictive Procurement Act. He dismissed allegations of secrecy and improper authorization, labeling the lawsuits as attempts by some individuals to exploit the project for personal gain.
The minister also addressed the cost of the project, which is expected to run at N4 billion per kilometre, countering comparisons to similar international projects. He underscored that all environmental and social impact assessments have been completed, and the project is included in the 2023 supplementary appropriation.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful completion of the project, Umahi highlighted the importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private sector. He also introduced a four-way project provision to enhance monitoring, involving field staff, communities, road users, and other stakeholders.
In addition, the minister outlined the ministry's budgetary plans, noting that no new projects would be included in the 2025 budget unless directed by President Bola Tinubu. Instead, the focus will be on completing existing projects, with four key projects earmarked for completion in 2025.
Umahi also addressed the ministry’s challenges related to funding, revealing that the total value of ongoing projects as of May 2023 was N14.42 trillion, with a funding gap of over N13 trillion. He assured that the government is committed to providing value for money in all its projects and highlighted the need for sustainable financing solutions, including a Public-Private Partnership scheme for future infrastructure development.
Despite the legal and financial hurdles, Umahi expressed confidence in the transformative potential of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other infrastructure projects under President Tinubu’s administration, which he believes will stimulate economic growth and improve the lives of Nigerians.
