The Minister of Public Works, David Umahi, has said that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road costs less per kilometer than inherited road projects such as Eleme-Onne and Abuja-Kano roads.
He disclosed this in an interview with Arise TV on Friday while outlining key milestones achieved in infrastructure development during the second year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Umahi admitted that while some critics had argued that the cost of the Coastal Road at N4 billion per kilometer was too high, they failed to realize that it was actually less than the cost per kilometer of several inherited projects.
He noted that the inherited Eleme-Onne road, which is about 30 kilometers long and was estimated to cost N156 billion (N1 billion per kilometer), was originally designed with two layers of asphalt pavement but was later upgraded to reinforced concrete by the current administration at the same cost, improving durability and quality.
“I did a cost-benefit analysis which clearly stated that the cost per kilometre was N4 billion. If you look at the cost of the coastal road and compare it to some of the projects that have been implemented, such as the Eleme-Onne road, which is 30 kilometres long and cost N156 billion, required two layers of asphalt: a binder course and a surface course.
“However, when we took over, we redesigned it. Today, we have a full carriageway with reinforced concrete pavement at the same cost. Construction of the second carriageway is ongoing.
“So I can proudly say, you see, the cost of the Eleme-Onne road project was higher, the cost of the Abuja-Kano road project – in terms of its implementation – was higher than the coastal road,” Umahi explained.
The Minister also highlighted the restricted procurement process that led to the award of the contract to Hitech Construction, which was selected for its expertise in coastal works, citing its work on the Eko Atlantic project. The
-Lagos Coastal Road is a 700km infrastructure project that aims to improve connectivity and boost economic growth in Nigeria’s southern corridor. It will stretch from Calabar to Cross River, passing through Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states. Akwa IbomThe Federal Government awarded the contract to Hitech Construction Company Ltd. under the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing (EPC+F) model, where the contractor bears most of the financial and construction risks, while the government provides counterpart financing.
The project has been criticised for demolition of buildings and timing, but Umahi defended it, saying it was in the national interest. He also revealed plans to levy tolls on the first completed section.
