Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved an additional 100-kilometre section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to run through Edo State—a state not originally included in the project’s alignment.
Umahi, speaking during an Independence Day dinner at the Edo State Government House Villa, described the inclusion as a “special gift” to Edo people. He said the President was impressed with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to infrastructure development, adding that the state deserved the benefit as a “reward for loyalty, leadership, and performance.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, one of the most ambitious projects of the Tinubu administration, is being executed by Hi-Tech Construction Nigeria Limited. States already benefiting include Lagos (100km), Ogun and Ondo (82km), Akwa Ibom (65km), and Cross River (27km).
Governor Okpebholo expressed deep appreciation, calling the development a milestone for Edo’s infrastructure growth. “The President treats me like a son. Whenever we seek support, he responds promptly. This 100km allocation is proof of his love for our state,” he said.
The announcement followed a joint inspection by Umahi and Okpebholo of the deteriorating Benin–Warri dual carriageway bypass, where both leaders decried the terrible state of federal roads in Edo.
Umahi blamed years of neglect for the situation, noting that “you cannot travel 100 kilometres on federal roads without serious challenges.” He commended Tinubu’s determination to fix the backlog of failed road projects, assuring that all ongoing works would now be built with reinforced concrete technology, expected to last 50 to 100 years.
Although funding challenges have emerged after the suspension of NNPC tax credit financing, Umahi affirmed that the President has directed the continuation of all federal road projects. Governor Okpebholo pledged that Edo would ensure quality delivery, stressing that good roads are vital for citizens’ welfare and the ruling party’s credibility.
