Sunday June 1, 2025|
President Bola Tinubu yesterday commissioned the first completed section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, describing it as a vital artery for trade, tourism, and national integration.
The landmark event, held in Lagos, was part of activities marking the second anniversary of his presidency.
Also commissioned by him yesterday although virtually were several other completed infrastructure projects across the country.
Some others were flagged off for the commencement of work under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at yesterday’s ceremony, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to local content, technology transfer, and inclusive national development.
Consequently ,he directed Works Minister David Umahi, and other ministers overseeing infrastructure projects to enforce full compliance with laws on local content, the training of Nigerians, and technology transfer.
He warned developers that the Federal Government would enforce setbacks.
“ If not for anything but for the interest of the nation. Developers who fail to get approvals will not be compensated. We have gazetted and published the setback, and we will enforce it in any way possible,” the President declared.
He also emphasised that his administration would not view infrastructure as mere “brick and mortar,” but as essential drivers of sustainable economic growth, job creation, opportunity expansion, and national unity.
He acknowledged the efforts of Engineer Ronald Chagoury in coastal protection, noting that his intervention helped avert a major environmental disaster in Lagos.
“I said that we would do it, and we did. We averted a disaster greater than a tsunami in Victoria Island and Ikoyi,” Tinubu said.
He appealed to Nigerians for continued patience and optimism, citing early signs of economic recovery, including exchange rate stability and declining food prices.
Virtually commissioned by him were the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway (Shagamu–Ibadan section), spanning 166.8km; and the East-West Road (Eleme Junction to Ahoada), covering 94km.
Others included the Alesi–Ugep Road in Cross River State (67.1km); Ikorodu–Shagamu Road linking Lagos and Ogun States (30.4km); Enugu–Lokpanta Expressway, with the first 16km of its 61km stretch completed; New Artisan Market Bridge in Enugu, a 75-meter dual-span bridge;and a new 75-meter single-span bridge at Akpoha in Ebonyi State.
President Tinubu also commissioned the first 15km of the Port Harcourt–Onne Junction (East-West Road), the Lagos–Badagry Expressway (Agbara–Seme Border) spanning 48.6km, an additional section of the Lagos–Badagry Expressway under rehabilitation, and a portion of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.
At the commissioning were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governors Jide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos),Bassey Out (Cross River),Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Hope Uzodimma (Imo),Monday Okpebholo (Edo),Usman Ododo (Kogi),Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Works Minister Dave Umahi, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu,and Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin,among others.
