FG Accelerates Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Alignment in Ondo as Construction Takes Shape
Federal Government is on track to finalise the alignment and procurement for the crucial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway section through Ondo State, as confirmed by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.
The minister’s statement underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to fast-track the ambitious, multi-billion-naira project, which promises to transform Nigeria’s coastal infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at Akure Airport at 6:09 p.m., Umahi reiterated the urgency of the project.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a monumental 700-kilometer infrastructure initiative designed to revolutionize connectivity across Nigeria’s coastline. Spanning nine states, the project will significantly enhance trade, tourism, and transport efficiency, acting as a catalyst for economic growth along the nation’s shores.
The project has been awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd. under an innovative Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) model.
In this arrangement, Hitech assumes most of the financial and construction risks, with the government contributing counterpart funding to mitigate the project’s financial burden.
Providing an update on the ongoing work for Section 1 in Lagos, Umahi highlighted that progress on the 47.47-kilometer stretch, which began in March 2024, is moving steadily. He is optimistic that 30 kilometers of the section will be ready for commissioning by May 2025.
However, some parts of this stretch required substantial excavation and sand-filling due to years of accumulated refuse, causing brief delays. After conducting thorough settlement tests, the project has resumed smoothly, with confirmed stability.
In a strategic move to reduce costs and improve efficiency, Umahi announced that the highway’s design in Ondo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states would be revised. By shifting the route to an upland path, the government aims to eliminate roughly 90% of the originally planned bridges, significantly reducing construction costs and boosting the project’s financial viability.
For Section 3, spanning Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, President Bola Tinubu has approved a refined alignment covering 65 kilometers.
This section is split into two parts—3A for Cross River and 3B for Akwa Ibom—both of which have already seen contracts awarded, with preparations underway for an official flag-off.
Umahi also confirmed that once completed, the highway will be tolled to generate revenue for its long-term maintenance and servicing, ensuring sustainability and operational efficiency.
As the final alignment in Ondo nears completion, the Federal Government is poised to initiate work on this section and others in the pipeline, with the formal flag-off of Section 3 on the horizon.
This marks a pivotal moment in the realization of one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, promising to reshape the nation’s economic landscape.
