The recent announcement from the Federal Government revealed plans to kick off construction on sections 3 and 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road in mid-December. Minister of Works, David Umahi, shared this update during an inspection tour of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, accompanied by members of the National Assembly. Delays on the highway’s southern corridor were initially due to rerouting to avoid areas controlled by militants.
Umahi mentioned that the original design had to be altered to avoid the high-risk corridor with militant presence, ensuring the safety of construction workers. He reassured stakeholders that the project was progressing as planned and addressed concerns about the project’s impact on aquatic life in the Niger Delta region by highlighting the ministry’s adherence to environmental guidelines.
While some segments in Sokoto and Kebbi were in progress, work in other states had not yet started due to financial constraints. Umahi explained that funding for the project required careful planning and approval processes, with the federal government contributing 30% of the funds and the rest sourced through loans.
Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress and pledged the National Assembly’s support. He mentioned the government’s efforts to enhance infrastructure security through advanced surveillance systems on key highways to improve response times and deter criminal activities.
Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Peter Nwebonyi, commended the minister’s initiative, recognizing it as a positive step for Nigeria’s development and safety. Alabi praised Umahi’s work and assured him of parliamentary oversight, underlining the National Assembly’s role in monitoring government spending, especially regarding the upcoming budget.