President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to local content development, technology transfer, and the empowerment of Nigerians through strategic infrastructure projects.
Speaking at the commissioning of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, held in Lagos on Saturday, Tinubu directed David Umahi, Minister of Works, and other supervising ministers to ensure full compliance with legal provisions relating to local content, technology transfer, and skills training for Nigerians.
“We will no longer compensate developers who fail to observe legal building setbacks and approvals,” the President warns. “We have gazetted and published the setback, and we will enforce it in any way possible.”
Speaking at the commissioning of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, held in Lagos on Saturday, Tinubu directed David Umahi, Minister of Works, and other supervising ministers to ensure full compliance with legal provisions relating to local content, technology transfer, and skills training for Nigerians.
Tinubu underscores that enforcing urban development regulations serves not just as a measure of order but as a matter of national interest. He stresses that the administration is prioritising the use of Nigerian expertise and resources in constructing vital infrastructure projects across the country.
The President recognises the role of Engineer Ronald Chagoury in reclaiming parts of Lagos from the Atlantic Ocean, commending the engineering achievement as critical to averting a natural disaster.
“I said that we would do it, and we did. We averted a disaster greater than a tsunami in Victoria Island and Ikoyi,” Tinubu says.
Addressing Nigerians, the President appeals for continued patience with his administration, noting signs of economic recovery.
“I want to appeal to all Nigerians that hope is here. Our economy is recovering,” he says.
Tinubu formally inaugurated Phase I, Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, covering the stretch from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village in the Lekki Peninsula. He says the 700km coastal corridor will ultimately traverse Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States.
“It is with great pleasure, pride and a sense of fulfilment that I stand here today to commission the completed part of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway Corridor,” the President states.
He commends the Federal Ministry of Works and the lead contractor, Hitech Construction Company Limited, for setting new standards in Nigerian road construction by deploying Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology.
“I congratulate Messrs. Hitech Construction Company Limited for taking this job and showing that Nigerian firms can perform to world standards and achieve excellence in infrastructure development. It is most pleasing to note that the highway was constructed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement instead of Flexible Pavement, thereby assuring durability,” Tinubu adds.
Beyond Lagos, the President commissions several road projects across the South-South and South-East regions. These include:
- Rehabilitation of the Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road Section II in Benue and Cross River States
- Dualisation of the East-West Road Section II (Sub Section I) from Eleme Junction to Ahoada in Rivers State
- Rehabilitation of the Alesi-Ugep (Iyamoyung-Ugep) Section in Cross River State
- Upgrading of 15km of the East-West Road from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State
- Rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Section III (Enugu-Lokpanta)
- Construction of a new bridge at Akpoha in Ebonyi State, replacing a near-collapsed structure
- Reconstruction of the collapsed Enugu Bridge at the New Artisan Market on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road in Enugu State
“Let me appreciate the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engineer (Dr) Nweze David Umahi, the Honourable Minister of State Works, Right Honourable Bello Muhammad Goronyo, the Permanent Secretary, Engineer Funso Adebiyi and all staff of the Federal Ministry of Works that made today’s commissioning possible. I thank you all for your commitment to this project,” Tinubu says.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, according to the Works Ministry, is a flagship project under the administration’s infrastructure agenda, and its progress holds significance for Nigerian economic development, intra-regional trade, and job creation.
Home
