“Lagos-Calabar coastal road’s sections 3 and 3B to commence by December” – Umahi

The federal government declared, on November 1, 2024, that work on the Lagos-Calabar coastal road’s sections 3 and 3B would start by the middle of December.

According to source, the minister of works, Engr. David Umahi revealed this during an inspection trip of the Lagos Calabar coastal road.

The inspection reportedly took place on friday while escorting national assembly members on an on-site evaluation of ongoing infrastructure projects in the southwest.

According to Engr. Umahi, rerouting to avoid militant-controlled areas was the initial reason of the delays on the southern corridor of the roadway.

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”.

Umahi pointed out that the section’s original plan went through a dangerous region where militants were actively present.

He disclosed that this presented serious risks to construction workers, necessitating a rethink.

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”, he added.

The minister gave stakeholders the assurance that the project will continue as planned.

In response to worries about how the project might affect aquatic life, especially in the Niger Delta, Umahi reassured stakeholders that the ministry will strictly follow environmental regulations in order to protect the local ecology and cause the fewest possible disturbances.

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 said that although work was continuing on sections in the Sokoto and Kebbi regions, other sections in several states had not yet started because of financial limitations.

“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”, he stated.

The chairman of the house committee on works, Mr. Akin Alabi voted in favor of the Umahi.

Mr. Alabi  noted that lawmakers were pleased with the current state of affairs.

He said: “On behalf of the speaker of the house of representatives, Mr. 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.”

He claims that this program, which is being carried out in collaboration with security organizations, intends to shorten response times and stop criminal activity on these vital road networks.

Similarly, Mr. Peter Nwebonyi, the senate’s deputy chief whip, commended the minister’s move, calling it a major step forward for Nigeria.

He said: “This system demonstrates our commitment to progress and development, enhancing the safety of both motorists and pedestrians”.

Alabi praised the minister in the meanwhile and promised him parliamentary monitoring as reported.

He emphasized the national assembly’s responsibility to monitor government expenditures, especially with reference to the budget for 2024.

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