The Federal Government has reaffirmed that the 25-kilometre access road linking Lekki Deep Seaport to Epe and Ijebu-Ode will be completed within its 21-month timeline.

Works Minister David Umahi gave the assurance yesterday during an inspection tour of the project in Lagos, stating that the road remains “highly viable” and that construction was progressing as planned.

Umahi expressed confidence in China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the contractor handling the project, noting that the firm secured the job through a competitive bidding process and had delivered major infrastructure across the country, including the Lekki Deep Seaport and parts of the Keffi–Makurdi superhighway.

He explained that the access road covers a total of 50 kilometres, consisting of a dual carriageway of three lanes each, along with major bridges measuring 3.5 kilometres and 2.4 kilometres.

“I strongly believe China Harbour will complete this road within 21 months,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the government had already paid 30 per cent of the project cost, while China Harbour would fund the remaining 70 per cent under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Finance arrangement. The loan, he said, would be repaid through tolling once the corridor opens to traffic.

Umahi said feasibility studies and traffic counts had confirmed the project’s financial sustainability, adding that CHEC would receive the right of first refusal when government begins the process for the road’s operation and maintenance.

He emphasised that the financing structure had been subjected to strict screening.

He noted that a recent presentation on Section 1 of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway was oversubscribed by 100 million dollars by international lenders led by the Dutch Development Bank.

“They told us the project was undervalued. International funders do not release money unless they have verified everything on site,” he said, stressing that involvement of the Debt Management Office, Ministry of Finance and the Attorney-General ensured strong compliance with due process.

On the total project cost, Umahi said final adjustments to both the naira and dollar components were ongoing, and the figures would be released soon.

He also confirmed that government was addressing challenges affecting certain portions of the project. These include ongoing consultations with China Harbour, the Dangote Group and Lagos State Government on redesigning a section that may require replacing a three-kilometre bridge with backfilling across a non-flowing lagoon.

Umahi added that delays caused by a shrine located within the corridor were being handled and would not affect the delivery timeline.

“I have removed shrines in many places. If the people do not remove this one, I will come and remove it myself,” he said.

A project engineer, Oyeneye Damola, said the road—designed as a dual carriageway built on Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement—was planned with all environmental and technical challenges in view.

The Director of Bridges and Design at the Ministry of Works, Musa Saidu, said his team was working to resolve issues related to gas pipelines servicing the Dangote Refinery and the Lekki Free Zone, adding that engagements with community stakeholders were ongoing.

Managing Director of China Harbour, Jason Wang, assured that the company would deliver a “high-quality project without excuses.”