The Federal Government has officially renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Bola Tinubu, saying the landmark road project originated from a vision he conceived nearly three decades ago while serving as Governor of Lagos State.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the decision on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, explaining that the move was meant to recognise President Tinubu’s role in initiating the idea behind the 750-kilometre coastal highway.
“That highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway,” Umahi said.
“By the powers conferred on me as Minister of Works, in consultation with my Permanent Secretary, the Minister of State, directors and staff of the ministry, we decided to name it after him because of his dream for it.”
Umahi stated that Tinubu first envisioned the coastal highway about 27 years ago during his time as Lagos State governor, adding that the President had not only imagined the project but also brought it to reality.
“He had that dream about 27 years back as governor of Lagos State. It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualise that dream. This is one man who dreams and has the grace and divine mandate to actualise that dream,” Umahi said.
The minister also revealed that President Tinubu had approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres, expanding the planned route to approximately 1,100 kilometres.
He further disclosed that the President approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement, the completion of the long-abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge, and the dualisation of another 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.
Giving an update on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi said work is advancing across multiple sections of the project.
According to him, the first phase, which runs from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos, is being developed as a model for modern highway construction. He added that the second section, stretching from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun boundary, is about 60 per cent complete and is expected to be substantially delivered by November.
Umahi also noted that construction activities are currently ongoing in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Ondo states as the Federal Government continues work on the coastal highway project.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
