Umahi Names Coastal Road After Tinubu, FG Okays 400km Extension of Key Highway

Nigeria's Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has announced a significant honor for President Bola Tinubu, revealing that the highly anticipated Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will now bear the president's name. This decision, according to Umahi, recognizes Tinubu's "long-standing vision" for the landmark infrastructure project.

The announcement came during a media briefing in Abuja, where Umahi detailed several key approvals granted by President Tinubu. These approvals are described as major milestones in the federal government's infrastructure renewal program. Umahi stated that the naming of the highway was a collective decision made by the Ministry of Works, in consultation with senior officials.

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That (coastal) highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway. By the powers conferred on me as Minister of Works, in consultation with my Permanent Secretary, the Minister of State, directors and staff of the ministry, we decided to name it after him because of his dream for it.

Umahi recalled that President Tinubu first conceived the idea for the coastal highway over two decades ago, during his tenure as governor of Lagos State. "It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualize that dream," the minister remarked, highlighting the president's role in bringing the project to fruition.

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He had that dream about 27 years back as governor of Lagos State. It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualize that dream.

In addition to the highway's renaming, President Tinubu has approved a substantial 400-kilometer extension to the country's Fourth Legacy Highway, the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Maiduguri Superhighway. This expansion will increase the project's total length from 700km to 1,100km, extending it to Taraba State. The minister emphasized that this expansion is unprecedented and will significantly enhance connectivity across the North-central and North-east regions, fostering economic opportunities.

Further infrastructure developments include the approval for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which has shown signs of deterioration shortly after its completion. The ministry also confirmed the completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State and the construction of the 5.76-kilometer Lao Bridge. The minister highlighted the use of reinforced concrete pavement for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, noting that such roads are designed to last 100 years without maintenance.

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The greatest story is that yesterday President Bola Tinubu approved the addition of 400 kilometres to our Fourth Legacy Road. That is an 800-kilometre road now extended to 1,100 kilometres, and that is unprecedented.