Stakeholders hail quality of Lagos-Calabar road project, urge national consensus on infrastructure
Civil society organisations (CSOs), opposition party figures, and economic experts have commended the Federal Government for the pace and quality of work on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing it as a transformative project with huge economic potential.
During an inspection tour of the project in Lagos, stakeholders urged Nigerians to rise above political divides and support legacy infrastructure projects capable of repositioning the economy.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed that the first section of the 750km superhighway—from Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, to Eleko, Lagos—would be completed by May 2026.
According to Umahi, 35km of the stretch has already been delivered, leaving 12km to round off Section 1. Work has also begun on Section 2, which runs from Eleko to Ode-Omi in Ogun State.
“We are saving properties, clearing refuse, and ensuring alignment of the concrete road. Issues around WinHomes and alleged $200m diaspora investments will also be thoroughly investigated with the EFCC, DSS, and CSOs involved,” Umahi said.
He also revealed that the Tinubu administration is simultaneously pursuing three other legacy projects—the 477km Trans-Saharan Highway, the 422km Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Expressway, and the 1,068km Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.
“Roads and bridges are what build GDP. President Tinubu knows this, and that’s why we are committed to his vision of infrastructure-led growth,” Umahi stressed.
Opposition, CSOs, Experts Rally Support
Policy analyst and PDP chieftain, Otunba Segun Showunmi, called for a consensus-driven approach to nation-building.
“What I have seen today is commendable. Beyond political differences, Nigeria must develop a long-term plan like Singapore, India, and the UAE,” he said.
Proshare Group Chairman, Olufemi Awoyemi, described the highway as a “test case” for big-ticket infrastructure financing and an alternative to congested national routes.
Declan Ihekaire, representing about 20 CSOs, noted: “We must not always condemn. When government gets it right, we must commend them. The people are the ultimate beneficiaries.”
