Vote Tinubu To Finish It” – Umahi Appeals To Niger Delta On Lagos-Calabar Highway

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has called on residents of the Niger Delta region to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the 2027 general election, saying continued backing for the President would help ensure the successful completion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

According to Ireporter Online, Umahi made the appeal during an inspection tour of Section 4B of the coastal highway in Ondo State, where he addressed concerns raised over the progress and future of the major infrastructure project.

The Minister, through a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, said the highway project had moved beyond Lagos State and was currently progressing across several states in the South-West and South-South regions.

Umahi made the remarks while responding to comments by former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, who had questioned whether the project would extend beyond its initial phase in Lagos.

The Works Minister dismissed such concerns, stating that construction activities were ongoing in Ogun, Ondo, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, with several sections already recording significant progress.

He urged Niger Delta residents to protect the project and support the Tinubu administration, stressing that the completion of the coastal highway would bring long-term economic benefits to the region.

Umahi said construction had commenced on a 28-kilometre section in Ogun State, a 52-kilometre stretch in Ondo, 27 kilometres in Cross River and a 47-kilometre section in Akwa Ibom, while work had also started on a major 180-kilometre dual carriageway segment in the region.

The Minister described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as one of the major projects under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the road would boost trade, agriculture, education and economic activities along the coastal corridor.

He added that the project was already creating employment opportunities, revealing that thousands of direct and indirect jobs had been generated through construction activities.

Umahi also highlighted the security and community benefits of the project, explaining that the ongoing construction had encouraged stronger collaboration between security agencies, local vigilantes and host communities.

Addressing controversies surrounding the highway’s route, the Minister explained that the original coastal alignment was reviewed due to technical challenges, including difficult terrain and the high cost of constructing multiple large bridges over ocean channels.

He said the revised route was chosen after careful assessment to ensure feasibility, affordability and timely completion.

On financing, Umahi described the project as one of the most transparent infrastructure initiatives of the Federal Government, adding that international financial institutions had expressed confidence in its design and execution.

He praised Hitech Construction Company for its commitment to quality delivery and engagement with communities along the route, expressing optimism that the highway would stand as a lasting legacy project.

Umahi further stated that the Tinubu administration remained committed to rebuilding Nigeria through infrastructure development and urged citizens to continue offering constructive feedback to improve governance.