By Seyi Odewale
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Friday formally opened Section One of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway to traffic, granting motorists temporary access to the road to ease congestion during the yuletide season.
The section, measuring 47.474 kilometres, stretches from Ahmadu Bello Way Junction in Victoria Island to Eleko Village Junction along the Lekki corridor in Lagos.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi; the Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company, Dany Abboud; the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Oshiyemi; and senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and other stakeholders.
Umahi said the temporary opening fulfilled the Federal Government’s commitment to reduce traffic pressure along the Lekki–Ajah axis and provide relief for commuters during the festive period.
He described the coastal highway as the realisation of a 27-year national aspiration, noting that although it was conceived decades ago, it is being actualised under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Minister disclosed that Section One was awarded to Hitech Construction Limited at a contract sum of ₦1.067 trillion and that work commenced in March 2024.
He said the entire stretch has been made motorable to allow traffic flow, even as construction continues.
According to Umahi, about 30 kilometres of continuously reinforced concrete pavement have been completed, while sand filling has been carried out on the remaining 17.474 kilometres.
He added that full completion of Section One is projected for the second quarter of 2026.
Providing technical details, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, said the temporary opening was explicitly approved to ease traffic congestion during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
He explained that although the road is still under construction, the entire section is safe and passable for motorists.
Dare noted that the project includes a rigid-pavement dual carriageway with drainage systems, culverts, median barriers, street lighting, and the relocation of public utilities such as electric cables, gas pipelines and water facilities.
He stressed that quality control standards remain strictly enforced.
The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is a major interstate project expected to span about 750 kilometres, from Lagos to Cross River State.
The route will pass through Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, with a spur linking the North-Central region.
Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Oshiyemi, described the highway as a transformative infrastructure project capable of boosting trade, tourism and job creation, while significantly reducing travel time between Lagos and the South-South region.
He said journeys between Lagos and Calabar, which currently take about 15 hours, could be reduced to 6 or 7 hours upon completion of the highway.
The Federal Government said the road will remain open to traffic throughout the festive season, while construction continues toward the scheduled completion of Section One in 2026.
