By; Vitalis Obidiaghaa

Briefing the Press after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, 26th February, 2024, the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, announced that Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a N1.06 trillion contract for the construction of the first phase of the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar. Senator Umahi, who disclosed this to newsmen, explained that the phase is part the 700 kilometer road spanning nine states and with two spurs leading to the Northern states. According to him, FEC approved the fund for the first phase made of the 47.47 kilometers dual carriage way to be constructed with concrete, having five lanes on each side and a train track in the middle.

In his words: “Today, we had the approval of FEC for the construction of 700 kilometer of coastal routes running from Lagos through the nine coastal routes or states up to Cross River; meaning that it goes through Lagos; the Lekki Deep Seaport, Ogun state, Ondo State, Delta, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom. But we also have two spurs that leads to the North, from the ongoing Badagry-Sokoto route and the one that leads to the Trans-Sahara route that goes from Ogoja down to Cameroon. Now, it is a dual carriage way. And each carriage way has five lanes and a provision for a train infrastructure that will be at the middle.”

The above development, which has earned Mr. president the commendation of well-meaning Nigerians, signifies Senator Umahi’s quest to use his expertise as a thoroughbred structural engineer to transform Nigeria’s road infrastructure, easing the pains that Nigerians have gone through over the years, due to poor road networks. This becomes even more encouraging when one considers the strategic importance of that coastal route to Nigeria’s economy, especially as it serves as a linkage between the South-West and the South-South economic corridors within our nation.

The significance of this project will be better appreciated when one considers the fact that one of the key indicators for measuring a nation’s developmental quest is to examine the effort such nation makes towards her infrastructural development. This is predicated on the fact that a good road network, apart from providing comfort for the travelling public, also serves as a vital catalyst for sundry economic activities. And every informed, mind who means well for our nation, will agree to the fact that the coastal route, just like many other strategic routes within our shores, holds so much promise for our nation’s economic rejuvenation.

That, perhaps, explains why Mr. President stated during his campaign, that his intention was to “modernise and expand public infrastructure so that the rest of the economy can grow at an optimal rate,” —a promise he is now determined to fulfill by the activities of Senator Umahi, the honourable minister of works. And if one rises beyond sentiments, and judges by the series of activities carried out by Umahi ever since he assumed office as the Minister of Works, one would agree to the fact that he came with a high level of determination to make a difference towards transforming Nigeria’s road infrastructure. This can be seen, not only through his words and ambitious project plans, but also in his profound understanding of how to navigate the associated challenges that come with such ambitious projects. An example of such scenario is the case of this coastal road from Lagos to Calabar.

Recall that FEC had on the 30th of October, 2023, approved that the Lagos to Calabar coastal road be procured under (EPC+) Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing in favour of High-Tech Construction African limited, which means that the company was supposed to search for the funding. And they have already started searching for the funding, but there are hitches here and there. And in his proactive quest to ensure the success of this ambitious project, the Minister thought it wise to seek for the understanding and intervention of Mr President towards fast-tracking the project and Mr. President gave his consent.

Umahi’s passionate words to Mr. President were as follows: “Since this project was going to be procured in two phases and multiple sections, can we get the Federal Government to fund the phase one, which is 47.47 kilometers, running from Ahmadu Bello in Lagos down to Lekki Deep Seaport?” and Mr. President graciously approved. Speaking further, the Minister stated that “we also have the challenge of a lot of infrastructure on the road corridor. So, we requested Mr. President to approve that we realign the road, so that we move closer to the ocean shore, and then avoid those properties which could lead to litigation. And Mr. President also approved. But then, that led to a new challenge. And the challenge is the need to start the project as quickly as possible as to protect, you know, the communities along the corridor. So today, we have procured the first section, which is 47.47 kilometers, under 10 lanes and FEC graciously approved the contract for N1.067 trillion with no objection.”

The above good news and the commendations that it has generated so far do not come as a surprise to those who have followed Senator Umahi’s determined efforts towards the transformation of Nigeria’s road infrastructure ever since he resumed duty as the Minister of Works, it resonates deeply with the aspirations of many Nigerians who rejoiced when Mr. President gave him that important responsibility. Those who have followed his activities closely can attest to the fact that he is determined to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President becomes a reality through the delivery of quality road infrastructure in Nigeria.

Speaking during one of his meetings with the project stakeholders in Lagos, Umahi stated that “the Lagos-Port Harcourt-Calabar Coastal Highway is the first of its kind in the whole of Africa, and it is quite innovative as it shows that the giant of Africa is beginning to show her prowess and this is being revitalized by the captain of the ship, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu. So, this is very beautiful. Another good news is that this project is going to be built on a concrete road of 11 inches thick with 20-millimeter reinforcement.”

For those who believe in the unfolding greatness of the Nigerian nation and the determination of the present administration to live up to the truest potential of the Nigerian nation, these words from Senator Umahi and his drive to make a difference reassure Nigerians of the steadfastness of the Renewed Hope Agenda. That is why he deserves the support of all Nigerians.