Umahi: Section one of $13bn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway set for May commissioning

MINISTER of Works, Engr David Umahi, has confirmed that the first section of the controversial $13 billion Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway will be ready for commissioning in May. He made this known on Saturday during an on-site inspection, as the Federal Government accelerates construction on the coastal road designed to connect Lagos with the South-South and South-East regions.

Mr Umahi said visible progress on Section One reflects the resolve of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver landmark infrastructure projects despite difficult environmental and soil conditions along the corridor.

According to him, engineers have had to contend with challenging terrain, including deep soil pits exceeding 20 metres in some locations. However, he noted that these obstacles are being successfully addressed through technical expertise and resilience.

Details of the minister’s remarks were contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Francis Nwaze.

Speaking during the inspection, Mr Umahi expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractor, HITECH Construction Company, to overcome engineering hurdles. He compared the current stretch to previous sections, particularly at chainage 18, where excavation depths reached about 22 metres.

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“At this point, the pit is about 20 metres deep, averaging between 18 and 21 metres. At chainage 18, we recorded about 22 metres, and HITECH handled it successfully,” he said, adding that the section under review is not even the most technically demanding part of the route.

The minister commended HITECH for absorbing the risks associated with unforeseen soil conditions without requesting an upward review of the contract sum. He emphasised that the additional engineering work required due to unexpected discoveries is being carried out at the contractor’s expense.

“No other contractor would take on this level of risk. You have shown commitment not just to profit, but to national development,” he stated.

Mr Umahi disclosed that the three-kilometre portion currently being assessed is approaching completion. He said sub-filling works are expected to be finalised within days, after which the stretch will be opened to motorists. Once operational, drivers will be able to travel uninterrupted from Ahmadu Bello Way through Lekki, with extended access toward the Dangote Refinery corridor as Section Two advances.

He explained that while the target remains a May commissioning, engineering considerations must guide final decisions. At chainage 18, he recalled, the section had to be exposed to rainfall for six months to allow for proper consolidation using lumps, one-inch stone base and sharp sand.

The current stretch, however, will not pass through a full rainy cycle before commissioning. As a result, the ministry plans to conduct consolidation tests in March. If results are satisfactory, Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) will be laid within two weeks in April, paving the way for inauguration by May 20.

The minister also raised concerns about vandalism along the project corridor. He condemned the destruction of metal fencing and the dumping of refuse into manholes, describing such acts as dangerous to both lives and infrastructure.

He thanked security agencies, including the police hierarchy, for increased patrols and warned that anyone apprehended would face prosecution. Mr Umahi revealed that a team of 7 Senior Advocates of Nigeria has been assembled to handle any litigation related to the project.

To curb repeated vandalism, he said temporary sealing mechanisms would be introduced for manholes while public sensitisation efforts continue.

Beyond construction updates, Umahi linked the steady progress on the highway to the broader reform agenda of the Tinubu administration. He stressed that infrastructure development is central to Nigeria’s economic revival and not limited to any individual or institution.

The minister hinted that Section Two of the coastal highway is also on track for delivery before year-end, while all bridges across both sections are projected for completion by April next year.

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He acknowledged that some critics had anticipated setbacks for both the project and the administration but maintained that tangible results were proving otherwise. Citing improvements in macroeconomic indicators, he pointed to relative currency stability, foreign reserves, and lowering inflation as signs of deliberate policy direction rather than coincidence.

Umahi further commended President Tinubu for approving the resumption of payments to contractors nationwide. However, he issued a stern warning regarding the misuse of Advance Payment Guarantees (APGs). Contractors who have collected mobilisation funds without returning to site, he said, will no longer receive payment certificates while holding government resources.

“My directive is clear: any contractor owing APG must return to site and apply it to work. The era of holding government funds for years without performance is over,” he declared.

Reaffirming his commitment to delivering critical projects, the minister described the coastal highway as a national assignment requiring discipline, transparency and collective support. He urged Nigerians to adopt constructive engagement and rally behind ongoing reforms.