David Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, has firmly pledged that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project will move forward as planned, despite an ongoing court case questioning its implementation.
This major infrastructure initiative is set to span approximately 700 kilometers, stretching from Victoria Island in Lagos to Calabar in Cross River State.
The highway will traverse several states, including Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, with the aim of enhancing connectivity and stimulating economic growth in Nigeria’s coastal region.
During a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to the project, stating that all legal and procedural requirements have been adhered to.
He addressed concerns about the project’s authorization, saying, “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 also expressed puzzlement over the court case, adding, “And so, we don’t know what they are taking to court.”
The Minister tackled worries about the project’s procurement process, confirming that it was approved by the Federal Executive Council under the Restrictive Procurement Act.
He assured the public that his team includes procurement experts and noted that “the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council under restrictive procurement.”
“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 said, criticising those questioning the project without sufficient knowledge.
The Minister also reassured stakeholders that all environmental and social impact assessments had been completed and that 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,” he confirmed.
Umahi warned those attempting to halt the project through legal means, stating, “If they want to unduly benefit from the project by going to court, they are wasting their time.”
He further declared, “I fought many battles as governor of my state. And so, my name is David. And I’m not afraid of bad people.”
