The federal government has fixed May 2026 for the commissioning of Section One of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, as work intensifies on the flagship coastal corridor.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the assurance Saturday during an inspection tour even as he attributed the pace of progress to the infrastructure drive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Umahi said engineers have successfully tackled challenging soil conditions, with excavation depths exceeding 20 metres in some sections.
He praised HITECH Construction Company for absorbing the engineering risks without requesting a variation in contract cost.
The minister stated that the three-kilometre stretch under review is close to completion, with sub-filling expected to be finalised within days. Once opened, motorists will be able to drive uninterrupted from Ahmadu Bello Way through Lekki, with access extending toward the Dangote Refinery corridor as Section Two advances.
He said consolidation tests will be conducted in March, after which Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) will be laid in April, subject to soil stability results, ahead of commissioning by May 20.
Umahi also raised concerns over vandalism along the route, including the cutting of metal fences and dumping of refuse into manholes. He warned that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted, commending security agencies for heightened surveillance.
The minister hinted that Section Two is expected before year-end, while all bridges across both sections are projected for completion by April next year.
Reaffirming fiscal discipline, Umahi cautioned contractors against misusing advance payment guarantees, stressing that only firms actively working on site will receive further payments.
He maintained that the coastal highway project represents more than road construction, describing it as a strategic investment in national integration, economic expansion and long-term development.
