The President Bola Tinubu government says its four legacy highway projects are progressing steadily, alongside the approval of new road contracts to enhance connectivity and economic growth. Works minister Dave Umahi disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja recently.

Mr Umahi said the projects were central to Mr Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at improving economic activities, integration and national development.

He said the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway remained a flagship project, with work progressing on sections across Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

Mr Umahi disclosed that Section One, from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos State, was progressing, while Section Two, from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun border, was about 60 per cent completed.

He said the section was expected to be substantially completed by November, with major bridge works ongoing, and added that the highway had been named the President Bola Tinubu Coastal Highway.

The minister said other sections connecting Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo were at various stages of design and procurement.

On the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Umahi said construction was ongoing across several sections, describing it as a project that would reduce travel time between northern and southern Nigeria.

He also highlighted progress on the Trans-Saharan Highway, which links Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu and Kogi to the Federal Capital Territory.

Mr Umahi said work had commenced on sections of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri Highway, while Tinubu approved an additional 400 kilometres to extend the corridor.

He described the extension as unprecedented, noting the project grew from 800km to 1,100km following the presidential approval.

The minister announced approval for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with a reinforced concrete pavement, expected to last between 50 and 100 years.

He also disclosed approvals for the Lau Bridge in Taraba, completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge project and an additional 400km of dual carriageway on the East-West Road corridor.

Mr Umahi said contracts had been approved for the Oba-Nnewi-Oga-Ihube-Okigwe Junction Road and Otuocha-Anam-Ibaji Road linking Anambra, Imo, Abia and Kogi. He added that legacy highway projects would feature solar-powered streetlights, CCTV systems, emergency centres, rest areas and patrol facilities to improve safety.

The minister further said the government  had approved the replacement of the Carter Bridge and was reviewing the design for the Third Mainland Bridge rehabilitation.

(NAN)