The Federal Government has temporarily opened the 47.47km Section One, Phase One of the massive Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Persecondnews reports that Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, inaugurated the section in Lagos on Friday, representing President Bola Tinubu, and called the infrastructure a “game changer.”
The entire 750km highway, which starts at Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, is slated to pass through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, and Bayelsa states before reaching its terminus in Cross River.
Umahi emphasized that the partial opening fulfills a vision held for 27 years.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu opened a portion of the section on May 26, describing it as a major step forward in the implementation of a nationally strategic project.
The minister said that the highway had a reinforced concrete pavement and closed circuit television cameras, among others
He noted that the highway would connect the Western and Southeastern regions of the country to improve cross-country connectivity and trade relations.
He reiterated that it would create millions of jobs, cut travel time and drive economic growth.
He said that the Tinubu administration had embarked on some legacy projects in different parts of the country for the advancement of Nigeria.
Earlier, Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu lauded Tinubu for efforts on infrastructure development nationwide.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, emphasized that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would reduce travel time on the corridor and improve economic prosperity of the citizens.
“It is also intended to connect rural areas to urban markets and key economic zones such as the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
“With improved connectivity and reduced travel time, businesses will be able to operate more efficiently, and people will have more time to focus on their work.
This will lead to increased productivity and economic growth,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He described the highway project as one of the “most ambitious and audacious” infrastructure projects since Nigeria’s independence.
He thanked the minister for delivering the section and temporary opening it for use, as he promised, to reduce pains associated with road traffic gridlock.
The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, a one-time Commissioner in the state, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the temporary opening of the road, commending the minister.
He said the project represented a significant milestone in national development and was a testament to Tinubu’s good leadership.
The monarch said the highway would enhance mobility and positively impact tourism, agriculture and other sectors.
He noted that the temporary opening would ease movement and reduce congestion for millions of road users during the festive season.
“This is a welcome relief for commuters who have had to deal with pressure on other major roads. With this opening, the promise of a more convenient festive season is assured,” he said.
He recalled that Mr Dany Abboud, the Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company, the contractor handling the project, said that the entire 106km stretch of Sections One and Two of the coastal highway would be completed by December 2026.
The traditional ruler, whose Iru Kingdom hosts the take-off point of the highway project, pledged continued cooperation with the Federal Government to ensure successful completion of the project.
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