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There indications that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, spanning 750 kilometers, may cost more as the project is set to receive significant upgrades aimed at improving both security and aesthetics. The project was initially to cost N4 billion per kilometre before the recent development.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the planned enhancements during an inspection of the project’s first two sections in Lagos at the weekend.

Umahi revealed that the highway will feature lay-bys equipped with closed-circuit video cameras (CCTV) and other security apparatus.

“We’re going to plant trees and have lay-bys every five kilometers where we connect all our CCTV cameras,” he explained. “These lay-bys will house vehicles and security personnel, ensuring a response time of about 10 minutes.”

The Minister emphasized that these innovations are part of a broader review to address unforeseen challenges and adapt to environmental changes.

He praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for its focus on infrastructure development, highlighting the President’s vision for connecting key economic corridors and enhancing transportation across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

“The President has given very serious attention to road infrastructure,” Umahi noted. “This Coastal Highway, along with the four Legacy Projects, includes integrated train tracks, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to transportation.”

Umahi also acknowledged the President’s commitment to funding the Works sector, despite competing demands from other critical areas of the economy.

He announced plans to review the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project contract to incorporate features that would maximize its socio-economic benefits.

Federal Controller of Works, Olukorede Keisha, discussed the challenges faced during the project’s initial stages.

“We encountered massive refuse dumps, some as deep as five meters, resembling the Olusosun landfill,” Keisha said. “The contractor has since cleared the debris and replaced it with sand from the ocean, ensuring a solid foundation for the highway.”

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s infrastructure strategy, promising to enhance regional connectivity and economic growth.

With the planned enhancements, the highway is expected to set new standards in road safety and environmental sustainability.

ABUJA BUSINESS REPORTS NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE