The Federal Government has renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in honour of President Bola Tinubu, citing his role in conceiving the project during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, describing the project as the fulfilment of a vision Tinubu conceived nearly three decades ago.
According to Umahi, the decision to rename the highway was taken in consultation with officials of the Ministry of Works in recognition of the President’s commitment to the landmark infrastructure project.
He said Tinubu first envisioned the coastal highway about 27 years ago while serving as Lagos governor and has now overseen its implementation as President.
The minister also disclosed that Tinubu had approved the extension of the fourth legacy highway by an additional 400 kilometres, increasing its total length to about 1,100 kilometres.
He further announced the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with reinforced concrete pavement, the completion of the long-abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge and the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.
Umahi said construction work was progressing steadily on several sections of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He noted that the first section, stretching from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos, would serve as a model for modern highway construction, while the second section from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun boundary is about 60 per cent completed and expected to be substantially finished by November.
The minister added that construction activities are also ongoing in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Ondo states.
He expressed optimism that the various road projects approved by the President would improve connectivity, promote national integration and stimulate economic growth across the country.
