President Bola Tinubu has given the nod for the commencement of construction on section three of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, starting from Calabar in Cross Rivers State, and section four from Akwa Ibom, pending completion of the procurement process.
The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, made this revelation on Thursday during a meeting with representatives from the communities along the road’s alignment between Eko Atlantic (Chainage Zero) and Eleko (Chainage 47.4 km) in Lagos.
Umahi said: “Let me also announce that Mr. President has directed that section three that is starting from Calabar and section four that is starting from Akwa Ibom should commence immediately; and so, we are in the process of concluding the procurement.
“And for those who have been saying, Why not start these roads in Calabar? One, the zero point is Lagos, and what wrong has Lagos done to these people?
“However, an impartial President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has directed that sections three and four be started from the end of the project. So while this is moving, the other one will be moving.
“I’m sure that sections five and six will also start in places like Port Harcourt and Bayelsa.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project is a monumental infrastructure initiative aimed at revolutionizing transportation and trade networks along the southern coastline, spanning from Lagos through the eight coastal states of the Niger Delta up to Cross River.
Also called the West-East Coastal Rail Line, this 1,400-kilometre standard-gauge coastal railway from Lagos to Calabar aims to connect major urban centres, industrial hubs, and seaports along the southern coast.
It involves the construction of a modern road spanning approximately 700 kilometres, connecting Lagos to Calabar while linking major urban centres, industrial hubs, and seaports along the southern coast, traversing through six states of the Niger Delta Region.
The road starts from Lagos, the Lekki Deep Seaport, and runs through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, culminating in Cross River State.
The project is scheduled to unfold over an eight-year period, and the highway’s construction will progress in thorough stages.
The inaugural phase will witness the realization of a 47.47-kilometre dual carriageway, complete with five lanes on each side and a central train track, heralding a new era in transportation infrastructure.
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