Abuja, August 29, 2024 — Minister of Works David Umahi has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, assuring Nigerians that the ongoing construction will continue as planned despite a pending court case challenging its implementation.

The 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which will stretch from Victoria Island in Lagos to Calabar, Cross River State, is set to pass through key coastal states including Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom. The project is regarded as a critical infrastructural development that will significantly enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth along Nigeria’s coastal region.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi emphasized that all legal and procedural requirements for the project have been met, dismissing concerns that the project lacked proper authorization.

“We are paying compensation. We are following the corridor right of way. We are following the corridor that is legally allowed for the federal government,” Umahi stated. He expressed confusion over the basis of the court case, questioning, “And so, we don’t know what they are taking to court.”

Addressing concerns about the procurement process, Umahi highlighted that the project had been approved by the Federal Executive Council under the Restrictive Procurement Act. “My permanent secretary is a procurement expert, and I have a very good department of public procurement and good directors. But the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council under restrictive procurement,” he explained.

Umahi also defended the project’s cost and scale, countering criticisms that it was overpriced compared to similar international projects. “I’ve had to run even the cost of the project at 4 billion per kilometre. And yet, people still come to say, oh, this number of lanes in Egypt is 1.8 billion. And it is 300 kilometres,” he noted, arguing that such comparisons lacked sufficient understanding of the project’s specifics.

He further reassured stakeholders that all environmental and social impact assessments had been completed, and the project was included in the 2023 supplementary appropriation. “We have EIA certificates on the project. That’s number one. Number two, was the project listed in the appropriation list? The project is in the 2023 supplementary appropriation,” Umahi confirmed.

In a stern warning to those attempting to use legal means to halt the project, Umahi stated, “If they want to unduly benefit from the project by going to court, they are wasting their time.” He added, “I fought many battles as governor of my state. And so, my name is David. And I’m not afraid of bad people.”

The Minister’s remarks underscore the government’s determination to push forward with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a project poised to transform Nigeria’s coastal infrastructure and enhance regional development.