Tinubu praised the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi for his dedicatedness to his national duties, reiterating the unconquerable spirit of his administration as the Nigeria's president.
President Tinubu, during a commissioning visit to areas of the 700 kilometers construction of Lagos-calabar coastal highway, said the project was designed to act as a boon to trade and commerce in Nigeria, as well as boost to tourism.
According to the State House statement, this will bolster the unique economic strength of each geopolitical zone.
It said, “The President spoke from the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island end of the project, which will traverse nine states along Nigeria’s coastal shoreline while linking the A1, A2, A3, and A4 highway corridors vertically crossing the western, central and eastern regions of the country, north to south.
“Starting from Lagos and terminating in Cross River State, the coastal highway will include a spur to the north-central part of the country.
“From Victoria Island, President Tinubu also performed the virtual flag-off of the design and procurement for the 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which is expected to connect Sokoto to Badagry in Lagos State, passing through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, and Oyo States.
“In addition, he virtually flagged off the design and procurement for the 461km Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Road, which will traverse Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, terminating at Apo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Personal adviser to the president, on media and publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale said president Tinubu was “in Lagos to inaugurate and flag off projects as part of activities marking his administration’s first anniversary”.
He said the president also on the same occasion ”performed the virtual flag-off of the reconstruction” and initiated a new plan for the “rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the six geo-political zones of the nation”.
Tinubu praised the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi for his dedicatedness to his national duties, reiterating the unconquerable spirit of his administration as the Nigeria’s president.
“Together, we worked to tame the Atlantic, and we turned a disaster into a great asset of value. We lost weight and took insults, but eventually, we tamed the Atlantic. We achieved our goals,” the President said.
“Today is my day to boast. The deal is done. The dream is realizable. The determination to build a nation of prosperity is possible. We said we would build this road, and we are determined to do it.
“Do not be afraid. We will do this road, and it will be a success for Nigeria, and we will do even more of this,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu described the project as such that will connect “communities and bring prosperity to people”.
”We have a road that will outlive all of us here. That is how to build the future. This project is more than a mere road. It is a symbol of hope, unity, and prosperity.
”It will connect communities, bring prosperity to people, and create opportunities for millions of our people. For our nation to excel, we just have to be bold and courageous in our endeavours,” he noted.
Listing the benefits and opportunities to be created by the construction of the 700km road, President Tinubu said it would provide direct employment for thousands of people and indirect jobs for tens of thousands, State House said.
It said Tinubu remained confident that this “will open economic opportunities for millions of people, fast-track economic development” and improve Nigeria’s maritime industry, adding that this will align with the United Nations’ decision to “grant Nigeria an extension of its continental shelf by an additional 16,300 square kilometres”.
The State House reports also recognized the presence of many dignitaries, including state governors at the Lagos-calabar coastal highway flag off ceremony, and gave more details on the keynote speeches made by the Minister of Works, Engr. Umahi.
“Engr. Umahi announced that the President had directed that sections 3 and 4 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project should commence from Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, respectively,” it further stated.
“Engr. Umahi disclosed that over 40 new projects are ongoing across the country and that all compensations up to kilometre 6 of the Lagos-Calabar project have been paid.
“The Oniru of Iruland in Lagos State, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, whose domain the road will course through, assured the President that the community would ensure the removal of all bottlenecks.”
“In separate remarks, three Governors – Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, and Mr. Hope Uzodinma of Imo described the wide-ranging support from sub-nationals as a vote of confidence and support for the landmark project,” it added.
