The Federal Government on Friday announced that construction on sections 3 and 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road would commence by mid-December.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this during an inspection tour of the Lagos Calabar coastal road while leading members of the National Assembly on an on-site assessment of ongoing infrastructure projects in the southwest region, on Friday.
He revealed that the delays on the highway’s southern corridor were initially caused by rerouting to avoid militant-controlled areas.
He said, “Before the middle of December, we will flag off sections 3 and 3B because the design has been approved by President Bola Tinubu and we are ready.”
He explained, “Initially, we passed through a section where the militants are, so it was also a problem for the people.
“We saw the dangers and the ministry subsequently opted for a safer alternative route, even though it involves challenging terrain with 30-meter-high rock formations that will require blasting. But it is better to blast the rocks than to have the heads of our workers blasted off by militants.”
The minister assured stakeholders that the project remained on course.
Responding to concerns about the impact of the project on aquatic life, particularly in the Niger Delta region, Umahi assured stakeholders of the ministry’s strict adherence to environmental guidelines to preserve the local ecosystem and minimise disruptions.
He noted, “The ministry is fully compliant with the recommendations from the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment conducted along the entire project corridor.”
The minister stated that while work was ongoing on segments in the Sokoto and Kebbi areas, other segments across multiple states were yet to commence due to funding constraints.
“This project is EPC+F. The commitment in terms of cash by the federal government is 30 per cent. The other 70 per cent has to be sourced through loans which require extensive planning and approval processes.”
On his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, passed a vote of confidence on the Umahi, noting that lawmakers were satisfied with the progress so far.
He said, “On behalf of the Speaker of the House of Reps, Tajudeen Abbas, we are impressed with the work and we are fully behind you. I want to crave the indulgence of the public to be patient and cooperative.
“I can assure you that the project is well ahead of schedule and that the federal government is intensifying efforts to enhance the security of key infrastructure nationwide through advanced surveillance systems.
“These state-of-the-art monitoring solutions, currently in place on the Third Mainland Bridge with a dedicated 24-hour control room, would soon be deployed across other major highways, including the Lagos-Calabar, Sokoto-Badagry, Trans-Sahara, Abuja-Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe, Keffi-Makurdi, Lagos-Ibadan, and Abuja-Kano routes.”
According to him, this initiative, in partnership with security agencies, aims to reduce response times and curb criminal activities on these critical road networks.
In a similar vein, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Peter Nwebonyi, praised the minister’s initiative, describing it as a significant step forward for Nigeria.
He said, “This system demonstrates our commitment to progress and development, enhancing the safety of both motorists and pedestrians.”
Meanwhile, Alabi hailed the minister and assured him of parliamentary oversight.
He emphasised the role of the National Assembly in overseeing government spending, particularly regarding the 2024 budget.