Traffic Congestion: Tinubu Orders Opening Of 47km Stretch Of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

Amid perennial traffic congestion in Lagos Island and the Lekki corridor, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the temporary opening of the 47.4km of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Phase 1 to improve travel time along the corridors, boost productivity, promote ease of doing business, enhance mobility of business infrastructure and deepen trade relations for over 30 million citizens.

The president who spoke yesterday at the temporary opening of Phase 1, Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway at Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos, said the coastal highway is a dream of the past by the Shagari led-administration of over 47 years ago and has been actualised by the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu’s legacy projects which he said was critical to unlocking critical assets and infrastructure.

He posited that the opening of the 47.4km of the coastal highway would unlock critical national assets, improve investment corridors along the coastline states and also lead the gateway for the fourth industrial revolution and emerging economy.

He explained that the opening of Phase 1, Section 1 of the coastal highway would unlock all the economic corridors of the Lekki-Epe Free Trade Zones and enhance the operational mobility of the deep-sea ports.

Tinubu reiterated that the coastal highway is a masterpiece and a larger vision that responds to the yearnings of the people, affirming that the opening of this phase would enhance tourism potential, spur economic integration, increase GDP growth and set the nation on an irreversible path of economic prosperity.

Represented by the minister of Works, David Umahi, Tinubu stated that the Lagos-Calabar Highway Project is an ambitious legacy project with exceptional foresight to unlock critical assets and road infrastructure.

He said the strategic opening of the Lagos-Calabar Highway marks visionary milestones for agriculture, tourism, real estate, industrial growth and production centres.

The president assured his commitment to bolstering infrastructure, protecting shorelines and mobilising national assets for comparative advantage to drive national economic growth and prosperity.

He commended the contractors for the pace of work, while lauding the bold reforms of infrastructure milestones in the country, noting that although Nigeria is going through a patch, there is the need for bold and audacious infrastructure that would outlive coming generations.

He hinted that the coastline infrastructure is linked to the Lekki Free Trade Zones (FTZ), the deep seaports and Dangote Refinery, adding that Nigerians should harness the potential of the project as it brings millions of opportunities to communities and coastline states.