Citypost News Desk
In just two years, His Excellency Engr. Dave Umahi, Honourable Minister of Works, is rewriting Nigeria’s infrastructure history. Phase 1 of the ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway; a 700km marvel is already taking shape, marking a significant milestone in our nation’s development journey.
This coastal highway stands as the largest road construction project in Nigeria’s history, both in scale and technical sophistication. Built with rigid pavement technology, the road boasts a thickness of 600mm to 700mm (60–70cm / approximately 2 feet 4 inches) and is reinforced with 25mm–30mm diameter TMT steel bars, ensuring unparalleled durability. This structure is projected to require no major maintenance for up to 100 years; a remarkable feat in Nigerian road construction.
At an estimated cost of ₦4 billion per kilometer, the project reflects a bold investment in long-term national infrastructure. While the quality and engineering standards are impressive, it is also important, in the spirit of transparency and accountability to provide Nigerians with a clear breakdown of the cost drivers. This will help the public better appreciate the economic, technical, and strategic rationale behind such a monumental project.
Nonetheless, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is not just a road, it is a legacy project that promises to boost tourism, enhance coastal connectivity, stimulate trade, and drive regional development for decades to come.
If we’ve been having it this practical in the past, we’d have reasons to endure the massive looting of our common patrimony.
Kudos to Minister Umahi for the vision and execution. The bar has been raised.
