First year anniversary: It’s my bragging day — Tinubu boasts, flags off 700KM Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
…Says Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway will spur economic devt
…Orders completion of Abuja-Kano Road within one year
…From 7hrs to 1hr 15mins: FG’s road intervention saves time, boosts economy — Lagos Deputy Gov, Hamzat
By Sodiq Adelakun and Matthew Denis
President Bola Tinubu has officially flagged off the construction of the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a project that has been shrouded in controversy.
The ceremony took place on Sunday in Victoria Island, Lagos, and was attended by top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma, Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Minister of Works Dave Umahi.
The first phase of the project, which spans 47.47 kilometers of dual carriageway, has been awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
However, the project has generated significant controversy due to the demolition of structures along the beach and allegations of lack of transparency in the awarding process and project cost.
Despite these concerns, the President’s administration has pushed forward with the project, which is expected to be completed in phases.
Meanwhile, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is seen as a key infrastructure project for the country, aimed at improving connectivity and economic development in the region.
The flag-off ceremony comes ahead of the first anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration on May 29, and is seen as a key milestone in his government’s infrastructure development plans..
During the event, President Tinubu expressed optimism that the road will be completed, describing the flag-off as his “bragging day.”
“It’s my bragging day,” he said. “We will do this road. We are determined to do it.”
He said the project is a beacon of hope to Nigerians. According to him, it will connect communities, and bring jobs to people.
“The project is more than a mere road. It is a symbol of hope, unity, and prosperity. It will connect communities, bring prosperity to people, and create opportunities for millions,” he added.
In the same vein, The President inaugurated the newly reconstructed Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway, a 36.02km expressway connecting Nigeria’s premier ports — Apapa and Tin Can Island — to larger parts of Lagos State.
He disclosed that the Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway would enhance access to the ports, boost commercial activities, and spur economic development.
The projects inaugurated were the newly reconstructed Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway and the rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge.
The 36.02km Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway, which connects Nigeria’s premier ports – Apapa and Tin Can Island – to larger parts of Lagos State, was inaugurated by the President, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The expressway, originally constructed between 1975 and 1978, had deteriorated significantly over the years, causing severe delays in the evacuation of goods from Apapa Wharf.
The reconstruction was executed in four sections using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) by Dangote Industries Limited under the tax credit method of infrastructure funding, with Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited as the subcontractor.
The Third Mainland Bridge, which spans about 11.8km, was also virtually inaugurated by the President.
The bridge, which was commissioned by President Shehu Shagari in 1980 and completed by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1990, recently underwent significant rehabilitation to improve its structural integrity and extend its lifespan.
…Says Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway will spur economic devt
Speaking at the inauguration, President Tinubu said the Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway would enhance access to the ports, boost commercial activities, and spur economic development.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Works, Dangote Industries Limited, and Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited for their efforts in delivering the projects.
‘’This is a great feat by any standards, and it is all for Nigeria. I congratulate the Ministry of Works and the contractors for the great work.
‘’It is not only in Lagos that these good things are happening. From the Presidential Villa in Asokoro to the AYA Roundabout in the capital city (Abuja), you will notice a great deal of work and some of these projects will be commissioned this week,’’ the Senate President said.
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi explained the reason for the use of concrete technology in constructing the road, noting its durability, as well as the rising cost of bitumen used in making asphalt.
“We want our contractors to migrate to the use of concrete technology for road construction,” the Minister said, while describing the inauguration of the road as another plus on the utility of tax credits in the country.
On the Third Mainland Bridge, the Minister explained that the project went beyond mere rehabilitation.
“We had to replace all the expansion joints, and we also noticed that over the years all the maintenance on the bridge was only for the surface and that created a lot of super elevation, potholes, and increased the dead load on the bridge resulting in increased deflection,” he said.
…Orders completion of Abuja-Kano Road within one year
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata, announced that President Tinubu had instructed the ministry to complete the Abuja-Kano Road within one year.
He assured Nigerians that the Makurdi-Enugu Expressway was nearing completion and that other federal road projects across the country were also receiving attention.
According to Dr. Kofarmata, the Minister of Works, Engr. Umahi, has saved Nigeria a total of N1.19 trillion by renegotiating the costs of some ongoing road projects nationwide.
‘’What we are witnessing today is Nigeria working under the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, and the determination to have a better Nigeria where infrastructural facilities are functioning,” the Permanent Secretary said.
…From 7hrs to 1hr 15mins: FG’s road intervention saves time, boosts economy — Lagos Deputy Gov, Hamzat
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Femi Hamzat, has expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Works for important road improvements that have reduced travel time from seven hours to just one hour and 15 minutes.
Speaking on the matter, Dr. Hamzat highlighted that about two years ago, numerous companies relocated from the Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota axis due to the road’s deplorable condition.
He thanked the President, the Ministry of Works, Dangote Group, and Hitech Construction Limited for the current improvements and for their work on the Third Mainland Bridge.
