Minister of Works Dave Umahi has defended the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will complete the ambitious infrastructure project despite growing criticism.
Umahi also claimed that many of those speaking against the highway are motivated by envy, arguing that they never believed the Tinubu administration would successfully execute the project.
The minister made the remarks on Thursday while inspecting ongoing construction work on the Ondo State section of the coastal highway in Ilaje Local Government Area.
His comments came in response to recent concerns raised by former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, who questioned whether the project would extend beyond Epe in Lagos State.
Reacting to Duke’s comments, Umahi acknowledged that everyone is entitled to an opinion but maintained that the project has already progressed far beyond Lagos.
“However, some of the issues he raised require clarification. When he said the Coastal Highway would never go beyond Epe, I respectfully disagree,” Umahi said.
The minister also disagreed with claims that the project was not a national priority, explaining that the coastal highway had been conceived years ago but could not be implemented because of funding challenges.
According to him, the current administration has succeeded in moving the project forward where previous governments could not.
Umahi alleged that many of the criticisms surrounding the highway stem from disbelief that the Tinubu administration could successfully deliver such a massive project.
“Those attacking the Coastal Highway are, in my view, motivated by envy because they never believed this President could deliver it.”
He went further to praise President Tinubu, describing him as “the man who tamed the Atlantic Ocean” and expressing confidence that the project would be completed as promised.
“The man who tamed the Atlantic Ocean is capable of delivering this project. I call him a divine President,” he added.
Providing an update on construction, Umahi disclosed that Section One, covering 7.47 kilometres from Victoria Island to Elepe Village, has already been completed.
He said Section Two, a 50-kilometre stretch from Lagos to the Ogun border, is approximately 70 percent complete, while Sections 3A and 3B, covering about 67 kilometres, have reached roughly 30 percent completion.
According to the minister, Section Four spans about 82 kilometres from Ogun into Ondo State, while Section Five, a 180-kilometre stretch in Akwa Ibom State, will be the longest section of the project.
He also revealed that another 100-kilometre segment beginning from the end of the Ondo section is currently at the design stage.
Umahi further dismissed allegations that the highway’s alignment was deliberately diverted away from the Ondo coastline to favour certain interests.
He explained that engineers altered the original route after soil investigations revealed deep deposits of peat, making construction along the coastline technically difficult and significantly more expensive.
“When we designed this section of the Coastal Highway, it was intended to pass about two kilometres from the shoreline, but soil tests revealed a major challenge,” he explained.
According to the minister, peat deposits measuring between 40 and 50 metres deep were discovered along the original route, making it impractical for construction.
He added that although peat was also encountered in parts of Lagos, it was much shallower and therefore easier to manage.
“It is extremely difficult to manage peat deposits that are 50 metres deep because they have to be removed and replaced before construction can proceed,” Umahi said.
The minister maintained that the route adjustment was based entirely on engineering and technical considerations rather than political motives.
