…Lagos-Calabar Highway to Be Tolled by December
Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has declared that all governors of the South East region are fully aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, regardless of political party affiliations, and called on opposition figures like Peter Obi to follow suit.
In an interview granted as part of a forthcoming State House documentary commemorating President Tinubu’s second year in office, Senator Umahi said the region is now reaping the benefits of federal attention after years of marginalisation.
“The Igbo man is enterprising and blessed with God-given wisdom. What Ndi Igbo seek is fairness, Nigeria that treats every zone equally. That is what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing,” he stated in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to Umahi, Ebonyi State alone currently has no fewer than four federal projects ongoing, a feat he said was unthinkable during his time as governor due to the lack of federal presence.
“Under President Tinubu, at least four federal projects are ongoing in Ebonyi State,” he said, listing other key infrastructure efforts such as the Port Harcourt to Enugu, Enugu to Abakaliki, Enugu to Onitsha, and Onitsha to Owerri roads, as well as the Second Niger Bridge.
Umahi, who is the first South Easterner to serve as Minister of Works, said the administration is committed to integrating the region through infrastructure and inclusion.
“Today, the South East has a Minister of Works for the first time, and we’re seeing real projects,” he said.
The Minister also revealed plans for a regional summit aimed at uniting South East leaders in support of President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
“We’re even planning a summit to bring together all South East leaders to endorse the President for the 2027 elections formally,” Umahi disclosed.
He called on Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, to join the regional consensus.
“Leadership is not about self—it’s about the people. If someone else is already doing what you would have done for your people, support him. I call on my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, to join us and work with Mr. President,” Umahi said.
On infrastructure, the Minister gave updates on several major national projects, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and the Trans-Saharan Trade Route.
He announced that Section 1 of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, covering 47.47km from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, is over 80 per cent complete and will be tolled by December.
“By December, we will toll Section 1 of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway. We project a 10-year return on investment,” he said.
Highlighting the road’s economic and environmental benefits, Umahi said the six-lane concrete-paved highway features solar-powered lighting, CCTV infrastructure, and carbon credit advantages. Work is also ongoing on Section 2, stretching to the Lagos–Ogun border, with Sections 3 and 3B recently flagged off in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
Speaking on the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and Trans-Saharan Trade Route, Umahi described them as decades-old visions now being realised under President Tinubu. “President Tinubu is now bringing these long-abandoned visions to life,” he said.
“God gave him the vision for the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway seven years ago. Today, he is actualising that vision,” he added.
The Minister concluded that these infrastructure projects are not only economically viable but also sustainable and transformative for the nation.
The full documentary is scheduled for release as part of the activities marking President Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.
- Tinubu’s Presidency Immortalised in Abuja With Barracks, Schools, Roads - June 12, 2025
- June 12: Tinubu Dismisses One-Party State Claims - June 12, 2025
- Tinubu: When Wike Joins APC, We’ll Be Singing ‘As E Dey Pain Them’ - June 11, 2025