By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Federal Government has officially renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway, citing the President’s long-standing vision for the landmark infrastructure project.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the decision on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, saying the highway was renamed in recognition of Tinubu’s role in conceiving the project nearly three decades ago while serving as Governor of Lagos State.
“That highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway,” Umahi declared.
He explained that the decision was taken by the Federal Ministry of Works in consultation with its leadership and senior officials.
“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,” he said.
According to Umahi, Tinubu first envisioned the coastal highway about 27 years ago during his tenure as Lagos governor, describing the President as a leader who has consistently transformed ideas into reality.
“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 actualise that dream. This is one man who dreams and has the grace and divine mandate to actualise that dream,” the minister said.
Umahi also disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres, bringing the total planned length of the corridor to about 1,100 kilometres.
He further announced presidential approval for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with reinforced concrete pavement, the completion of the long-abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge, and the dualisation of another 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.
Providing an update on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, the minister said construction is advancing across multiple sections.
He noted that the first phase, stretching from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos, is being developed as a model for modern highway construction.
The second phase, from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun boundary, is about 60 per cent complete and is expected to be substantially delivered by November.
Umahi added that construction work is also ongoing in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Ondo states as the Federal Government pushes ahead with the flagship road project.
