‎Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: FG Assures Completion, Justifies New Alignment

‎The federal government has assured Nigerians that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be completed as scheduled, while defending the decision to alter the original alignment of the project.

‎The Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the assurance during an inspection of the Ondo section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, where he assessed the progress of construction work on the multi-billion-naira federal infrastructure project.‎

‎Umahi explained that the adjustment to the highway’s alignment was not influenced by private interests, but was based on engineering realities discovered during detailed investigations carried out along the proposed route.

‎He said the original plan was for the highway to run about two kilometres from the shoreline, but further geotechnical studies revealed challenging soil conditions, including deep peat deposits of between 40 and 50 metres in some areas.

‎According to the minister, maintaining the initial alignment would have required extensive and costly engineering solutions, including the removal of deep peat deposits, replacement with suitable materials and the construction of major bridges across large water crossings.

‎He said, “The Coastal Highway was originally planned to follow the coastline because that was our preference. However, engineering is very dynamic. We carried out more extensive soil investigations and redesigned the project. That is what we are implementing today. These are the realities and dynamics of engineering.

‎“When people ask about the cost per kilometre, they must understand that costs depend on conditions. Imagine removing 50 metres depth of peat and replacing it with suitable fill materials before reaching the design level. We are very pleased that we adopted a prudent engineering solution that overcame these challenges and made the Coastal Highway possible.”

‎Umahi noted that similar soil challenges were encountered in the first and second sections of the project in Lagos, but the depth of peat deposits in those areas was about 20 metres, making them easier to manage.

‎He added that engineers also identified unsuitable marine sand and three major water crossings, each extending over 3.5 kilometres, which would have significantly increased the cost of the project if the original route had been retained.

‎The minister said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway had been proposed for many years but could not be implemented due to funding limitations and other challenges, expressing confidence that the current administration would deliver the project despite criticisms.

‎Giving an update on the project, Umahi disclosed that the 7.47-kilometre first section from Victoria Island to Eleko Village had been completed, while the second section of about 50 kilometres towards the Ogun State border had reached 70 per cent completion.

‎He said Sections 3A and 3B, covering approximately 67 kilometres, were about 30 per cent completed, while Section Four, which passes through Ogun State into Ondo State and measures about 82 kilometres, was progressing steadily.

‎The minister further revealed that construction was ongoing on the 180-kilometre Akwa Ibom section, while another 100-kilometre stretch from the end of the Ondo section was still at the design stage.

‎Umahi attributed the progress recorded so far to the support of President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and the capacity of the construction company handling the project.

‎He said foundation works, which account for about 80 per cent of the project, were nearing completion, adding that concrete pavement construction would commence within the next few months.