PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, while flagging off the construction of the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, in Lagos, said the project would revolutionise transportation in Nigeria and bolster the unique economic strength of each zone.
Speaking from the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island. Lagos end of the project, said it would run across nine states along the country’s coastal shoreline, linking the A1, A2, A3 and A4 highway corridors vertically crossing the western, central and eastern regions of the country, north to south, starting from Lagos and terminating in Cross River State, the coastal highway would include a spur to the north-central part.
From Victoria Island, Tinubu also performed the virtual flag-off of the design and procurement for the 1,000-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which is expected to connect Sokoto to Badagry in Lagos State, passing through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and Oyo states.
In the same vein, the President virtually flagged off the design and procurement for the 461-kilometre Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Road, which would run across Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa States, terminating at Apo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The President, who was in Lagos to inaugurate and flag off projects as part of activities marking his administration’s first anniversary, also performed the virtual flag-off of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the six geo-political zones.
He commended the Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, for being diligent and for his efforts towards the qualitative execution of the strategic coastal highway project, and the Chairman of Hitech Construction Company, Mr. Gilbert Chagoury, whose company is handling the project, for being worthy stakeholders and for believing in the future of Nigeria.
“Together, we worked to tame the Atlantic and we turned a disaster into a great asset of value. We lost weight and took insults, but eventually, we tamed the Atlantic. We achieved our goals,” he said, recounting how the company successfully executed a project to prevent the Atlantic Ocean from encroaching on critical sections of the Lagos shoreline.
“Today is my day to boast. The deal is done. The dream is realisable. The determination to build a nation of prosperity is possible. We said we would build this road, and we are determined to do it.
“Do not be afraid; we will do this road and it will be a success for Nigeria, and we will do even more of this.”
Tinubu said the project would ensure that future generations have a good landmark and memory to treasure, while serving as a good precedent set for others to follow in the timely provision of world-class infrastructure.
He added: “We have a road that will outlive all of us here. That is how to build the future. This project is more than a mere road; it is a symbol of hope, unity and prosperity.
”It will connect communities, bring prosperity to people and create opportunities for millions of our people. For our nation to excel, we just have to be bold and courageous in our endeavours.”
He listed the benefits and opportunities to be created by the construction of the road to include provision of direct employment for thousands of people and indirect jobs for tens of thousands; open economic opportunities for millions of people; fast-track economic development; provide 30 million people with improved access to production and marketing centres and facilitate the free movement of people.
The President added that the project would complement the expansion of the country’s maritime industry in the wake of the recent decision by the United Nations (UN) to grant Nigeria an extension of its continental shelf by an additional 16,300 square kilometres, saying: “We must take advantage of these opportunities,” even as he stated that the establishment of more export processing zones along the coastal states must be a priority for the country.
On his part, Umahi announced that the President had directed that Sections 3 and 4 of the project should commence from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, respectively, emphasising that due process was followed in awarding the contract for the transformative project, describing Tinubu as a visionary and courageous leader.
The minister disclosed that over 40 new projects were ongoing across the country and all compensations up to kilometre 6 of the Lagos-Calabar project had been paid.
The Oniru of Iruland in Lagos State, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, assured the President that his domain would ensure the removal of all bottlenecks, stating that his people have made painful sacrifices for the project to materialise and called for adequate compensation for them.
In separate remarks, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo) described the support from sub-nationals as a vote of confidence and support for the landmark project.
