The Nigerian Federal Government has declared the initiation of construction work on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway’s third section, commencing from Calabar, Cross Rivers State, and the fourth section from Akwa Ibom, subject to the finalization of the procurement process.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this announcement in Lagos during a meeting with community representatives from the areas surrounding the highway’s route from Eko Atlantic to Eleko.
President Bola Tinubu has instructed that the construction of sections three and four should start immediately, addressing concerns about why the project did not originate from Calabar.
The President’s directive ensures that while construction progresses from Lagos, simultaneous development will occur from the project’s other end.
The Lagos-Calabar highway, spanning 700 kilometers across nine states, was contracted to Hitech Construction Company Limited under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing model, with the Federal Government providing necessary funding support.
Construction began in March 2024, starting with the first 47.47-kilometer phase from Lagos. In response to concerns raised by figures such as Atiku Abubakar about the project’s commencement point, the Minister clarified that future sections would start from various states along the proposed route.
The second phase, approved by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, will extend from the Lekki Deep Seaport to the Ogun-Ondo state boundary, covering approximately 55 kilometers.
The third section, set to begin in Calabar in July, awaits approvals from the BPE and the Federal Executive Council.
Additional segments will be constructed, including one from Port Harcourt to Bayelsa State and another from Delta State to Ondo State, enhancing connectivity across the region.
