President Bola Tinubu has officially inaugurated the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal road. The ceremony, held in the Victoria area of Lagos State on Sunday, was attended by prominent government officials including the Minister of Works Dave Umahi, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and several state governors.
The project, which has a budget of N15 trillion, aims to be completed within eight years. President Tinubu expressed strong confidence in the successful completion of the road, referring to the event as his “bragging day” and emphasizing his administration’s commitment to seeing the project through.
“This is my bragging day,” Tinubu stated. “We said we would do this road. We will do this road. We are determined to do it.”
Despite the government’s optimism, the project has faced criticism from opposition figures. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 presidential election, have raised concerns about the transparency of the contract award process and the overall cost of the project. Allegations of a lack of transparency and the high cost, as well as issues related to the demolition of structures, have been prominent in public discourse.
In response to some of these concerns, the Federal Government adjusted the planned route of the highway to avoid damaging submarine cables, reverting to a gazetted route in certain areas.
During the flag-off event, President Tinubu highlighted the significance of the coastal road, describing it as a symbol of hope for millions of Nigerians. He emphasized that the project would connect communities, create jobs, and bring prosperity to the people.
“We have a road that will outlive all of us here. That is how to build the future,” Tinubu said. “This project is more than a mere road. It is a symbol of hope, unity, and prosperity. It will connect communities, bring prosperity to people, and create opportunities for millions of our people. For our nation to excel, we just have to be bold and courageous in our endeavors.”
President Tinubu also praised Minister Umahi for his efforts on the project, noting that the completed road would greatly benefit Nigeria’s tourism sector.
