FG unveils Ondo section of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Works has unveiled the 71 kilometers Ondo State Section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on recently.

Works Minister, Sen Engr David Umahi who engaged stakeholders and unveiled the legacy project emphasised economic significance and the rigorous process undertaken to ensure compliance with Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA).

He revealed that the first segment of the road, originally 75 kilometres, has been optimised to 71 to reduce cost, as well as minimise environmental disruptions.
This adjustment, made in collaboration with the State Government, eliminates the need for major bridges and preserves key communities’ interests.

Further addressing the impact of the Federal Government’s infrastructure agenda, the Minister, reiterated that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the Administration’s four major legacy road projects aimed at improving connectivity across Nigeria.

The Minister emphasised that the project is neither wasteful nor corrupt, contrary to criticisms by ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo who he said as a Military Head of State squandered a large quantum of the nation’s money on a mere cultural jamboree tagged FESTAC ‘77.
Umahi added that its execution follows a transparent Engineering, Procurement, and Construction plus Financing (EPC+F) model, ensuring sustainability and return on investment.

He commended the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for fostering inclusive governance and ensuring peace and unity within the State.

The Minister praised the Governor’s commitment to infrastructural development and his strong relationship with the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he said has facilitated critical projects in the State.
He also outlined the administration’s broader infrastructure strategy, which includes the three other legacy road projects across all geopolitical zones, such as 1,068 kilometre Sokoto- Badagry Highway with 127 kilometres in Sokoto State and 258 in Kebbi, is ongoing.

The 474-kilometre Abakaliki – Abuja highway and the 420-kilometre Akwanga- Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Highway. Regarding ongoing Federal projects in Ondo State, the Minister provided updates on key roadworks, including the Akure-Iju (Ekiti border) road.

Ore-Ondo-Akure road, and the Ilesha-Akure-Benin highway, assuring that necessary steps are being taken to fast-track their completion and called on the state government to support RoW compensation efforts to facilitate the smooth execution of the project.

The Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while welcomong the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, acknowledged the Federal Government’s commitment to road infrastructure in the state.
He also noted the Federal government’s intervention in the establishment of the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Akure and the approval of an Aviation College in the State.

The Governor reiterated the need for collaborative governance, emphasising that Ondo State is ready to work closely with the Federal Govt, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of these projects.

He also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to securing construction sites and facilitating a smooth execution process and further stressed economic significance of the projects, particularly the Deep Seaport initiative, which is expected to enhance trade and industrial growth in the region.

Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed confidence in Tinubu’s administration and pledged continued cooperation to actualize these transformative projects.