The Federal Government has announced the commencement of construction on the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, revealed this during a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna.
The project, initiated one week after the approval of a N1.067 trillion contract for its first phase, involves a 47.47km dual carriageway with five lanes on each side and a train track in the middle.
Umahi emphasized that the highway, spanning nine states with spurs leading northwards, will be constructed with concrete technology.
Initially set up as a public-private partnership, funding challenges prompted the government to seek approval from the Federal Executive Council to award the project directly. Umahi also engaged the African Development Bank for potential financing avenues to expedite project completion.
Hitech Construction Company Ltd. has kickstarted the project, commencing work immediately after the handover of the first phase. Umahi praised the company’s speed and quality, highlighting their completion of 1.3 kilometres of filling within a short period.
During a site visit, Umahi underscored the importance of timely project delivery, particularly for critical infrastructure like bridges. He outlined plans for comprehensive rehabilitation of bridges such as the Third Mainland Bridge, including asphalt milling, installation of guardrails, solar lights, decorative lights, and CCTV cameras for security purposes.
Additionally, Umahi commended ongoing efforts by construction firms like Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd. in restoring deteriorated bridge elements, ensuring the structural integrity of vital infrastructure.
