The Federal Government has adjusted the route for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to protect subsea cables owned by telecom companies. Additionally, the project has been scaled back from 10 lanes to six to save costs.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, revealed these changes during a meeting with contractors in Abuja on Tuesday. He also announced that the government has allocated N10 billion as compensation to property owners impacted by the 700km highway’s construction. The first 47 kilometers of the project is expected to be accessible by May next year.
The Lagos-Calabar highway project, launched earlier this year, spans nine states and includes spurs to northern regions, constructed with concrete pavement. A committee was formed to review and compensate affected landowners, with N2.75 billion already distributed as of May 1st.
Section one of the highway will start at Eko Atlantic and end at the Lekki deep sea port.
“For the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, we have reduced the size to six lanes for sections two, three, and four,” said Umahi. He emphasized that the project is ongoing, with over four kilometers of concrete road completed on six lanes. Due to concerns raised by MTN about its subsea cable and Okuaja community, the route was realigned, avoiding the original path before rejoining it at kilometer 25.
Umahi also highlighted the project's investment potential, expecting returns within a decade. He assured that sections three and four are ready for stakeholder engagement, likely in Cross River or Akwa Ibom, to ensure procurement, with the design near completion.
Addressing funding issues, Umahi explained that the government inherited over 2,600 projects worth N15 trillion and initiated 330 emergency projects totaling N260 billion, with more than 80% completed. He criticized the excessive variation of prices by contractors and stated the ministry would now oversee project costs more strictly.
Meanwhile, Julius Berger is set to resume work on the Abuja-Kano highway after resolving issues.
Umahi also mentioned that the recently flooded Kara bridge has been repaired, and CCTV installation on the bridge is nearing completion to enhance security, ensuring rapid response from security agencies to any incidents.
