Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced that the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will provide 30 million business people with improved access to market centres and production facilities.
He made this statement on Sunday in Lagos during the inauguration of the 700km highway project, marking his first year in office.
Tinubu stated, “It will fast-track the community’s development, bring development closer to the people, and give 30 million people improved access to production and marketing centres.
“You can easily predict a journey vertically and go along the horizontal line, and you can define the free movement of people,” he added.
Tinubu emphasized that the project will accelerate community development and facilitate the free movement of people.
However, the construction has sparked controversy, particularly among businesses slated for demolition. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi have both criticized the project.
Recall that, minister of Works David Umahi revealed that 750 houses along the highway’s path have been marked for demolition, with N2.75 billion allocated for compensating affected property owners.
Umahi assured the public of the government’s commitment to providing support and compensation to those affected.
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“However, be rest assured that this government is a compassionate government that cares for you and will do the utmost to offer succour by way of compensation,” Umahi stated.
The 10-lane coastal road is intended to link Lagos to Cross River, passing through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states before ending in Cross River.
According to him, the road’s potential was enormous because it would have two spurs, which would link up with the Sokoto—Badagry Expressway, which is under procurement, and the African Trade Route, which connects the Southeast to Cameroon, thereby connecting every region of the country.
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