LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Last month when the Federal Government announced plans to begin the long-awaited Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, the news generated mixed reactions from different quarters.
While some lauded the initiative as something that was indeed long overdue and should be given the necessary push to ensure a smooth-sail as far as the implementation of the project is concerned others misconstrued the real intentions of the government and would rather the project was stopped forthwith.
Clearly, one of the dissenting voices was former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who accused the presidency of having an ulterior motive for tinkering with the idea in the first place.
According to him, the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is a white elephant project which clearly amounts to a waste of scarce resources.
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He was particularly miffed that the project was awarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ally, Gilbert Chagoury, whose firm, Hi-Tech Construction company, was engaged to execute the multi billion dollar project without due process.
Following in tow in what is now an established pertain amongst the opposition, with penchant for criticism for the sake of it includes Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and his counterpart at the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, Dr. Funso Doherty also vilified the federal government over the project.
Naturally, with the high infrastructure deficit in the country, Nigeria should be a construction site all-year round if we must achieve sustainable development across all facets of our national life.
Perhaps, it is the realisation of this yawning gap that has compelled the federal government to gird up its loins this time around as far as the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project is concerned.
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Originally conceived by former President Goodluck Jonathan and later reviewed by the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari, the 700 kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, which will traverse nine states including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers states, will be a game-changer of some sorts.
In the views of some project managers who have assessed the enormity of the Lagos-Calabar highway, they spoke in unison about the significance of the project as a major driver of the much touted blue economy, which in their estimation will boost the nation’s foreign direct investment so much so for its potentials.
Experts’ opinions on the positive impacts of the project upon completion are as revealing as they are overwhelming because they speak to all-round socioeconomic development along the corridors with Nigerians as the sole beneficiaries as the project will unlock economic opportunities and open new corridors for trade, tourism, and industries.
Senator David Umahi, the Minister of Works, during a roundtable discussion in Lagos with businesses, stakeholders, and communities that the Coastal Road project will affect, said a lot will certainly.
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The Minister, a certified Civil Engineer himself, noted that: “The Lagos to Calabar coastal road is a national asset at a time when Nigeria seeks to attract more investments into the economy. The federal government has adopted the engineering, procurement, construction, and financing model with 30% counterpart funding.”
Besides, he said, the coastal road would have two spurs that will link up with Northern Nigeria to further integrate the north and south in terms of movement of people, goods and services.
On the concerns raised on the bidding process, he said Hi-Tech Construction company, was engaged to execute the project based on its track record in the Eko Atlantic Wall project, which has saved Victoria Island (Lagos) from ocean surge, and the execution of the Dangote Tax credit Oworonsoki-Oshodi-Apapa expressway through reinforced concrete construction.
He added that Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, is the zero point for the 700km coastal road project connecting nine states.
“The sections for this coastal road project include Ahmadu Bello Way to Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port to Ogun/Ondo boundary, Calabar to Uyo, Port Harcourt to Bayelsa, Bayelsa to Ondo. This project will unlock economic opportunities and open new corridors for trade, tourism, and industries.”
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On the right of way, along with the proposed demolition of structures and buildings, he clarified that the over $150m Landmark Event Centre and its adjoining business structures are safe except for the beach resort, which will be affected by the coastal road project.
He however appealed to the royal fathers, political leaders, communities, businesses, and stakeholders whose properties and investments have been marked on the right of way to work with the federal government to achieve a win-win situation.
“We will compensate businesses affected along the right of way for the Lagos to Calabar coastal road project at the federal government-approved rate. We are also looking at redesigning and realigning the project to accommodate the genuine concerns raised by stakeholders. The project has also been developed with provisions for the rail track in the middle,” he added.
He said a committee will be established to examine the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on the project, which will comprise representatives from coastal royal fathers, politicians, and businesses along the corridor.
According to the Minister, the project is valued at $11bn (N15trn) , has an eight-year timeline and is expected to be completed by 2031.
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The first phase of the new 700km highway that will run through the nine coastal states is the 47.47km section beginning from Victoria Island. It has five lanes on each side of the dual carriageway and a train track in the middle.
Economic analysts have revealed that the completion of the first phase of the project alone could increase the size of Lagos State economy by 50% because of the connection to Lekki Deep Seaport and the Lekki economic corridor where Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex is situated alongside other multinational industries.
Also speaking on the benefit of the coastal road and how it will transform the economy of Cross River State, the Commissioner of Information, Erasmus Ekpang, in a press statement, said the state government is overwhelmingly grateful to President Bola Tinubu for embarking on the project decades after the necessity for the coastal road had been muted.
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The highway, according to the commissioner, “will serve as a catalyst to transform the economy of Cross River state for optimum impact. I want to applaud President Tinubu for the political will to translate this lofty dream into a concrete reality.
“This coastal highway is going to be a game changer for the socio-economic status of Cross River. It is bound to add value to our rich agricultural produce while enhancing the profit base of local farmers. The benefits in the value chain are unimaginable.”
Mr Ekpang further averred that the highway would boost the tourism economy of Cross River.
“When completed, the road will also boost tourism traffic to our unique tourism sites by attracting an unprecedented number of tourists, given the thrills and frills synonymous with road travel.”
Echoing similar sentiments, chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River, Alphonsus Eba was effusive with praises to President Tinubu, who according to him has fulfilled a key aspect of his campaign promises to the people of Cross River.
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“President Tinubu has once again demonstrated that he is a man of his word by keeping to his promise. When Senator Ben Ayade voiced this request during the presidential campaign in Calabar, he knew the economic importance of the road,” he said.
“Nothing is more gratifying at the moment than the cheering news of the commencement of the highway. This is a huge boost to the current drive of Governor Bassey Otu to alter the socio-economic narrative of our state. The highway is bound to ensure our rapid transformation in all facets of economic development by driving traffic of investors and tourists.”
All said, it is instructive to note that while it is the civic responsibility of the citizens to remain vigilant at all times and should be ready to call the government to order when it feels strongly about certain issues, criticism for the sake of it is in itself a disservice to the country.