The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has announced that a portion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is nearing completion, with toll collection set to begin in December.
Umahi disclosed this in an interview for an upcoming State House documentary commemorating President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.
“By December, we will begin tolling Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,” Umahi stated.
“We are projecting a return on investment within 10 years.”
He highlighted the highway’s advanced infrastructure, which includes solar-powered street lighting and CCTV surveillance, as well as its potential to generate carbon credits. According to Umahi, the road is more than just a transport route—it’s an “economic corridor and a catalyst for regional development.”
The minister noted that 30 kilometers of Section 1 have been completed, with another 10 kilometers underway in Section 2. The highway features six-lane, concrete-paved roads.
“We also recently flagged off construction of Sections 3 and 3B, which span a total of 65 kilometers—38 kilometers in Cross River State and 27 kilometers in Akwa Ibom. The enthusiasm from host communities underscores the transformative potential of these projects,” he added.
Turning to the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Umahi described it as a revival of the colonial-era Trans-Saharan trade route.
“President Tinubu is bringing long-abandoned national infrastructure dreams to reality,” he said.
Speaking on the 2027 presidential election, Umahi revealed that all governors from the South-East are united in their support for President Tinubu’s re-election. He also mentioned ongoing plans to convene a summit of Southeast leaders—including the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi—to rally behind Tinubu’s 2027 bid.
