President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the construction of the ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, marking a significant step towards revolutionizing transportation infrastructure and stimulating tourism in Nigeria. The ceremony, held in Lagos on Sunday, saw President Tinubu highlighting the project's potential to enhance connectivity and economic vitality across various regions of the country.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, spanning 700 kilometers, is poised to traverse nine states along Nigeria's coastal shoreline, linking major highway corridors from the western to the eastern regions. This strategic initiative aims to streamline travel and trade routes, bolstering economic activities and fostering regional development.
In addition to the Lagos-Calabar project, President Tinubu also initiated the virtual commencement of design and procurement for two other critical highways: the 1,000-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Highway and the 461-kilometer Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Road. These projects signify a concerted effort to improve transportation infrastructure nationwide, with the potential to stimulate economic growth and enhance accessibility for millions of Nigerians.
Speaking at the event, President Tinubu commended the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, for his dedication to ensuring the successful execution of these transformative projects. He also praised the construction companies involved, emphasizing their role in shaping the future of Nigeria's infrastructure landscape.
Highlighting the socioeconomic benefits of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, President Tinubu underscored its potential to create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, spur economic development, and facilitate improved access to markets for millions of people. Moreover, he emphasized the project's significance in complementing the expansion of Nigeria's maritime industry, following recent developments granting the country an extension of its continental shelf.
The commencement of these projects received widespread support from sub-national leaders, including Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo. Their endorsement reflects a collective commitment to advancing national infrastructure initiatives and fostering socioeconomic progress across the country.
As construction begins on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other vital road networks, President Tinubu's administration reaffirms its dedication to building a prosperous and interconnected Nigeria, setting the stage for sustained growth and development in the years to come.
