The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, on Friday commended members of the National Assembly for their support and commitment to the Federal Government’s infrastructure drive.
He described their collaboration as key to national development.
Umahi made the remarks while inspecting Sections One and Two of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway alongside some federal lawmakers and officials of the Federal Ministry of Works.
The minister expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives committees on works.
He said said that their oversight and engagement had contributed significantly to the progress of major infrastructure projects across the country.
He said: “I want to thank the chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, and all members of the National Assembly.
” If every committee in this country shows this level of commitment to nation-building, we will achieve significant milestones in our economy.”
He described the ongoing projects under Tinubu’s administration as highly impactful and transformative, adding that lawmakers had shown deep understanding and support for the initiatives.
According to him, Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is almost completed, with only minor technical adjustments remaining.
“We are at the end of Section One. Technically, it is completed, though maintenance continues and few areas are being corrected due to minor deflections,” he said.
Umahi said that some observed structural adjustments were part of engineering refinements, adding that reinforced concrete pavement had been introduced to improve durability.
He further disclosed that Section Two of the project, including major bridge works, was progressing steadily and would incorporate advanced engineering spans beyond conventional standards used in Nigeria.
The minister commended, the contractor, Hitech Construction Company, for effective performance, saying that the firm had demonstrated capacity and resilience in delivering large-scale infrastructure under challenging conditions.
He also revealed that some sections of the project had attracted international attention, with foreign engineers and financial institutions expressing interest in the quality of work being executed.
Umahi highlighted that funding arrangements for the project included participation from international financial institutions.
He added that such collaborations had strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s infrastructure development programme.
In their separate remarks, lawmakers on the oversight visit commended the quality and scale of work on the project.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Allwell Onyesoh, said the committee’s nationwide inspection had shown significant improvements in road construction and supervision.
He said that the project demonstrated the economic importance of infrastructure in driving trade, mobility and national development.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Mr Akin Alabi, described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a landmark project that would transform transport and economic activities on the corridor.
He commended the Federal Government for overcoming legal and structural challenges associated with the project, while praising the contractor for maintaining high standards in spite of funding constraints.
Alabi added that the project would have long-term benefits for Nigeria, stressing that it would outlive the current generation.
The Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company, Mr Dany Abboud, gave the assurance that Section Two of the project would be substantially completed within schedule, with bridge components extending into 2027.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olufemi Dare, said that Section One had reached the end of its alignment, while Section Two marked the beginning of further expansion works