By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that the President Bola Tinubu administration is addressing the challenges on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Umahi stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, during a press briefing.
He said President Tinubu has shown remarkable commitment to roads and bridge infrastructure across the country, regretting that some Nigerians are quick to amplify minor issues, often out of context.
He disclosed that the ministry has received over 500 public concerns regarding a crack allegedly noticed on Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Clarifying the situation, the Minister explained that Section 1, which spans 47.47 kilometers and features six lanes—including the main carriageway and shoulders—is still under construction.
He emphasized that the crack in question occurred not on the main carriageway, but on a sand-filled section of the shoulder that is not yet active or in use.
According to him, work is ongoing in that area, and part of the process involves burying cable ducts and installing underground drainage pipes measuring 750mm in diameter, across two channels.
Minister reassured Nigerians that there is no structural issue with any part of the completed carriageway and urged the public to disregard the misleading video making rounds on social media.
He maintained that the Ministry remains committed to quality delivery and transparency on all federal road projects. “No completed section of the main carriageway has cracked,” he reiterated.
In addition to the Lagos-Calabar Highway, the Minister also mentioned that other key emergency works are ongoing in Lagos, including detailed assessments and planning on the Third Mainland Bridge and the Carter Bridge.
He stated that these matters have been tabled before the Federal Executive Council and are receiving urgent attention.
The administration, he assured, is taking strategic steps to rehabilitate and sustain critical transport infrastructure across Nigeria.
Umahi further disclosed that a meeting was held with the contractor last week where it was agreed that they must deploy work teams to a minimum of six sections across the project site. “As of now, the contractor is actively working in four sections, including areas recently inspected by the Minister of State. “
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