The Nigerian government has clarified concerns surrounding the omission of the Lagos-Calabar Highway from the 2025 budget, stating that the exclusion was a result of a typographical error.
This clarification comes after reports surfaced suggesting that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway had been left out of the budget, sparking confusion and concern.
In a video shared by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), the Minister of Works, David Umahi, addressed the issue, reassuring the public that the project was indeed included in the budget.
However, Umahi acknowledged that the budget document mistakenly referenced the Lagos-Port Harcourt Coastal Road instead of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.
Umahi explained that the error was purely typographical, and the ministry is working with the committee chairman in the National Assembly to correct the mistake.
“The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is very much part of our plans for 2025,” Umahi clarified.
“What happened was that the document mistakenly stated Lagos-Port Harcourt Coastal Road, but it was supposed to say Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.
We’re working to ensure this is corrected immediately.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road has been a key infrastructure project for the Nigerian government, and its inclusion in the 2025 budget was meant to demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing long-standing transportation challenges in the southern region.
The road, once completed, is expected to improve connectivity and boost economic activities in the area, serving as an essential link between Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria, and Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
This coastal highway is part of a broader initiative to enhance road infrastructure and regional integration, with President Bola Tinubu’s administration prioritizing large-scale projects aimed at stimulating growth and development.
The Highway project is estimated to cost around N16 trillion, making it one of the most ambitious road construction efforts in the country.
The project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities and ease the movement of goods and people along Nigeria’s southern coast.
Alongside the clarification on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, Umahi also addressed rumors surrounding the condition of the Third Mainland Bridge, assuring the public that the bridge is safe and that reports suggesting its instability were unfounded.
The Nigerian government’s commitment to correcting the typographical error and continuing work on critical infrastructure projects demonstrates its determination to improve transportation networks across the country.