— NASS Reassures Nigerians of Value for Money
The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr.) David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, led Members of the National Assembly and other key stakeholders on an inspection tour of Sections 3A and 3B of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway located in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. The 71.4-kilometre segment of the project, handled by Messrs Hitech Africa Construction Company, forms part of the 750-kilometre signature highway, which was officially flagged off in April 2025.
Sen. Umahi commended the contractor for maintaining high-quality standards, deploying advanced technology, and engaging skilled manpower. He also praised the company for the early completion and commissioning of Section I, Phase I (Ahmadu Bello Way–Eleko Village) in Lagos State, which was inaugurated in June 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He urged the company to replicate this level of performance on the current sections, directing that construction continue day and night.
The Minister stated:
“The God that brought His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to undertake this courageous project is still on the Throne and will sustain him to complete it, setting our country on the path of greatness.”
He emphasised that the Coastal Highway will feature relief stations, solar lighting, CCTV cameras, and emergency response systems designed to ensure that help arrives within 10 minutes anywhere along the corridor.
Sen. Umahi appealed to the people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States—and Nigerians at large—to support the President in realising his 27-year-old vision of constructing a coastal highway similar to those in other nations with expansive coastlines. He described President Tinubu as “the actualiser of dreams,” referencing former President Shehu Shagari’s 1978 vision for the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and the colonial-era 465-kilometre Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Kogi–Abuja Trans-Saharan Highway.
Contractor Reaffirms Commitment
The Managing Director of Hitech Africa, Mr. Dany Aboud, thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity and assured the Minister that the company would intensify efforts by deploying more personnel and equipment. He pledged that the sections would be delivered within the 36-month contract period.
National Assembly: Nigerians Will Get Value for Money
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Mpigi Barinada, speaking on behalf of the National Assembly leadership, commended the pace and quality of work. He urged Nigerians to appreciate the scale of earthworks required in the swampy terrain, which justifies the project’s substantial capital allocation. He assured the public that the National Assembly remains committed to ensuring value for every naira spent.
Ministry Officials Affirm Quality and Progress
The newly deployed Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, formerly Director of Procurement, expressed satisfaction with the contractor’s performance:
“The quality of work is very high—quite high. With the contractor’s commitment and the Minister’s leadership, this project can be completed on time, making Nigerians proud.”
Earlier, the Acting Director of Highways (Bridge and Design), Engr. Musa Sa’idu, and the Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Vincent Okoruwa, briefed the Minister, confirming adherence to approved designs. Engr. Sa’idu highlighted the use of grade 40 concrete with Y20 by Y16 reinforcement at 500-metre intervals, saying, “When finished, it will outlive all of us.”
Cross-Party Support for the Project
Leaders of the PDP, ADC, and Action Alliance in the region also commended the project, noting that good initiatives deserve support irrespective of political affiliation. They praised the President, the Ministry, and the contractor for championing what they described as a historic step in national infrastructure renewal.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), Ms. Gift Johnbull, described the Coastal Highway as “a generational game changer,” explaining that improved transport access will help farmers and traders—from Mrs. Odeh to Mr. Effiong—move goods such as yam, palm oil, and garri to markets in Lagos, thereby enhancing wealth creation.
Minister Orders Termination of Non-Performing Contractor
While travelling from Uyo to Calabar, the Minister inspected the Calabar–Odukpani–Itu Road (with spurs to Ididep Itam and Ikot Ekpene). He expressed dissatisfaction with the slow performance of Messrs Raycon & Company (Nigeria) Limited on the 9.7-kilometre section. The contractor’s claims of delayed mobilisation funds were dismissed, with the Minister reiterating that the Ministry’s policy requires contractors to first demonstrate progress before mobilisation payments are released.
Consequently, the Minister terminated the contract and directed the Federal Controller of Works in Akwa Ibom State to issue a stop-work order. He further ordered an immediate assessment of completed work to enable payment. The Minister then assigned the project to Messrs Hitech Africa Construction Company on an emergency procurement basis, assuring commuters that the road would be completed within two months.
Chief Edet Isong