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Abdulazeez Abubakar
2 weeks ago
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Lagos-Calabar coastal highway “so beautiful, it inspires heaven” – Umahi
Dave Umahi, Federal Minister of Works, says the visual appeal of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is so captivating that it stirs spiritual reflection, describing it as a project that not only transforms the landscape but inspires citizens to strive for higher ideals.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Umahi shared his personal reaction after inspecting the site.
“I was there; I was so so excited and I said if the street of coastal highway can be this beautiful, how beautiful will the streets of heaven look? It makes us to do better and make heaven; it is a beautiful place,” he said.
Read also: FG plans to inaugurate 30km of Coastal highway in May – Umahi
The coastal highway, a 750-kilometre legacy infrastructure project stretching across multiple southern states, is one of the signature initiatives of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Designed to boost connectivity, economic growth, and tourism along Nigeria’s coastline, the project is expected to significantly ease transportation between Lagos and Calabar.
According to Umahi, 30 kilometres of section one of the highway will be ready for commissioning on May 25, 2025. President Tinubu is expected to officially unveil the completed stretch, marking a symbolic milestone for the broader project.
The minister highlighted the engineering challenges involved, particularly with flood prevention. The road is being constructed above predicted ocean flood levels, which has impacted nearby buildings.
“That has put a lot of adjourning buildings in a very serious situation as our road level is at the level of their first decking. So we’re constructing retaining wall all through,” Umahi said.
The first section of the highway covers 47.47 kilometres and is designed as a six-lane road—three lanes in each direction. In between both carriageways, a 12-metre-wide railway track is planned, alongside strategically placed bridges to ensure long-term efficiency and connectivity.
Although the project is scheduled to be completed over a 36-month timeline starting in March 2024, work is progressing in phases. The Calabar axis of the highway will see a construction flag-off on April 14, followed by Akwa Ibom on April 15 and Ebonyi on April 16.
Umahi also noted that all six geopolitical zones of the country are represented within the four key infrastructure projects under President Tinubu’s administration, an effort to ensure nationwide impact.
https://businessday.ng/news/article/lagos-calabar-coastal-highway-so-beautiful-it-inspires-heaven-umahi/
