Umahi Inspects A’Ibom, C’River Sections of Lagos-Calabar Road, Lauds Quality of Work

Says relief stations, solar lighting, CCTV cameras to be included

Minister terminates contract for section of Calabar-Odukpani-Itu road

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, alongside members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders at the weekend visited sections 3A and 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

The multi-trillion piece of infrastructure is being handled by Messrs Hitech Africa Construction Company, including the 71.4-kilometre segment as well as part of the 750-kilometre highway. The two projects were flagged-off in April, 2025.

Umahi praised the contractor for maintaining quality standards, utilising advanced equipment, and employing skilled workers. He also commended them for completing and commissioning Section I, Phase I (Ahmadu Bello Way-Eleko Village) in Lagos State, in June 2025, ahead of schedule.

Umahi urged them to replicate the performance on Sections 3A and 3B, directing that construction should proceed both during the day and at night, a statement by the Director of Press, Mohammed Ahmed, stated yesterday.

He highlighted that features such as relief stations, solar lighting, and CCTV cameras will be included along the highway, with emergency response times not exceeding 10 minutes.

Umahi encouraged the people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, and indeed all Nigerians, to support President Bola Tinubu in realising his 27-year-old dream of building a Coastal Highway, similar to those in other countries with coastlines.

“He is the actualiser of dreams, including that of former President Shehu Shagari of blessed memory, who about 47 years ago envisioned constructing the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and the colonial-era 465-kilometre Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Kogi-Abuja and the Trans-Saharan Highway, which connects with the fourth Legacy Project at Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe,” he stated.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Dany Aboud, assured that the company would work day and night, deploying more personnel and resources, pledging that construction on both segments would be completed within the 36-month contract period.

Speaking on behalf of the members and leadership of the National Assembly, Senate Committee Chairman on Works, Senator Mpigi Barinada, urged Nigerians to appreciate the significant earthwork involved, especially given the swampy terrain, which justifies the project’s huge capital outlay.

He assured the public that they will get value for their money and reaffirmed the partnership between the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Works to realise the President’s vision.

The newly deployed Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, who previously served as Director of Procurement at the Ministry, emphasised that the quality of work is  high, expressing confidence that with the contractor’s commitment and the minister’s leadership, this project can be completed on time.

Earlier, the Acting Director, Highways (Bridge and Design),  Musa Sa’idu, and the Federal Controller of Works, Vincent Okoruwa, briefed the minister on progress of work.

The statement quoted them as confirming that the contractor is adhering to the approved design and that there are no obstacles to timely completion.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South South Zone, Ms. Gift Johnbull, said: “It is about the people, which is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is hinged upon.”

She highlighted that completed projects will enable farmers to transport their yam, palm oil, garri, and other commodities to markets in Lagos, thereby creating more wealth, describing the project as a generational game-changer.

On his way to Calabar from Uyo, the minister also inspected ongoing work on the Calabar-Odukpani-Itu Road project, which includes a spur to Ididep Itam and Ikot Ekpene. He expressed concern over the slow progress by one of the contractors, Messrs Raycon and Company (Nigeria) Limited, on a 9.7-kilometre section.

However, the contractor’s claim of not receiving mobilisation funds was rejected, with the minister reminding him that the ministry’s policy requires contractors to report to the site and achieve a reasonable level of work certified before mobilisation funds are released.

Based on this, the minister announced the contract’s termination and directed the Federal Controller of Works in Akwa Ibom to issue a stop-work order. He also instructed a detailed assessment of the work completed to facilitate payment.

Besides, he ordered Messrs Hitech Africa Construction Company to take over the project on an emergency procurement basis, assuring road users that it would be completed within two months.