FG to begin train track construction on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Section 1 in 2025
The Federal Government plans to begin constructing train tracks on Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in 2025.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this announcement during an inspection of Sections I and II of the project, which are located within Lagos and being handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd, on Friday, December 20, 2024.
The details of the announcement were published in a statement on the ministry’s official website on Saturday.
“The President has given very serious attention to road infrastructure. Don’t forget that this Coastal Highway and, of course, the four Legacy Projects all have the train track incorporated. The construction of the train track for this section I is going to take off in 2025,” Umahi stated.
The Works Minister outlined plans to enhance the Lagos-Calabar Highway in Sections I and II of Phase 1, including solar-powered CCTV cameras, lay-bys every 5-15 kilometers, and security posts for improved safety and monitoring.
He announced that 20 kilometers of Section 1 are scheduled for commissioning by May 2025. The Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Olukorede Kashia, noted challenges such as large refuse dumps and unsuitable soil conditions requiring extensive remediation during the project.
What you should know
The Ministry of Works did not address the plans to reduce lanes from 10 to six for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in its latest statement.
However, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), covering Friday’s inspection of Sections I and II of Phase 1 of the project, reported that Works Minister David Umahi confirmed the decision to reduce the lanes from 10 to six as part of efforts to revise the project’s scope and cut costs.
This revision is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the project remains financially viable, sustainable, and within budget, while maximizing its long-term impact.
The 700-kilometer highway, which spans nine states, aims to improve connectivity and drive economic growth along Nigeria’s coastline, particularly benefiting key trade corridors and regional development.
⚫️The route begins at Victoria Island near Eko Atlantic City and traverses the Lekki Coastal Road, Lekki Free Trade Zone, and Dangote Refinery, connecting Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, and Calabar in Cross River.
⚫️The initial design includes 10 lanes, with rail lines running through the center of the main carriageways and features innovative 11-inch-thick concrete roads reinforced with 20-millimeter steel.
⚫️Hitech Construction Company was selected as the contractor under the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) model, with the company assuming most of the financial responsibility while the Federal Government provides counterpart funding.
⚫️Construction began in March 2024 on the first phase, covering 47.7 kilometers in Lagos, starting from Ahmadu Bello Way, and is expected to be completed by May 2025.
The full highway is expected to be completed in eight years, with various sections being constructed simultaneously once procurement, approvals, and other processes are finalized.
Completed sections will be opened for use and toll collection in phases, contributing to infrastructure development and regional economic growth.
What is it with these weird people that like to mention my username everywhere? Am I a star? Do I jave anything to do with them? Yet they can't stop mentioning my username like their lives depend on it.
I don't swing that way and I am not interested in you and I won't read rubbish.
But anyway, it's their time, they can keep deceiving themselves and wasting their time.
LAGOS CALLS FOR SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS, STRICT CROWD CONTROL AT YULETIDE
The Lagos State Government has observed with serious concern the stampede during philanthropic gestures of individuals and organisations in some parts of the country.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu sympathises with families whose loved ones were involved in the stampede that led to the loss of lives in some States.
To prevent such occurrences in Lagos State, all individuals or groups that intend to distribute items to large gatherings of people are advised to seek clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission, which is well-equipped to ensure that such events do not turn tragic.
The agency has a partnership with security agencies to ensure crowd control at locations with large numbers of people.
Individuals and groups can register their events and get clearance through the Safety Commission’s platform lasgsafetyreg.com
Any group that flouts these measures will surely face the legal consequences of its indiscretion.
The Government has activated all its safety mechanisms, following a directive from Mr. Governor who has also summoned a meeting of all safety agencies.
Besides, Mr. Governor has directed that the ongoing advocacy against fire and flooding, among others, should be strengthened.
Some funny people spread a rumour that the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu had died. I knew that it was fake news because the rumour had started circulating 2 days earlier and the Professor had been seen after the rumour broke.
INEC released a statement that their chairman was alive and I created a thread with that statement, but some funny people said that it was a lie.
Well, the professor has been seen in public after that rumour broke and here are pictures and videos of the event.
REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN, INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC), PROF. MAHMOOD YAKUBU, AT A MEETING WITH THE VISITING DELEGATION FROM THE COMMISSION ELECTORALE NATIONALE AUTONOMIE (CENA) OF BENIN REPUBLIC ON A STUDY VISIT TO INEC HELD AT THE COMMISSION’S CONFERENCE ROOM, ABUJA, ON MONDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2024
President of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission of Benin Republic Officials of the Electoral Commission of Benin Republic National Commissioners of INEC The Secretary to the Commission Directors and other Senior Officials of the Commission Members of the INEC Press Corps Ladies and Gentlemen
1. It is my pleasure to warmly welcome my friend and colleague, the President (Chairman) of the Commission Electorale Nationale Autonomie (CENA) of the Republic of Benin, Dr Sacca Lafia, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). I also extend the same warm welcome to other senior officials of CENA to INEC Nigeria.
2. Early last month, we received a letter from CENA indicating its interest to undertake a study visit to INEC Nigeria as they prepare for what they described as their most complex election in 2026. For the first time in its history, CENA will be conducting three elections within a period of three months. Legislative and Local Elections will be held in January 2026, to be followed by the Presidential election in April 2026. For this reason, the President of the Commission is leading a 12-member delegation, comprising National Commissioners, Directors and critical staff to understudy our processes and procedures.
3. In particular, CENA is interested in the legal framework for elections in Nigeria, the design and printing of election materials and forms, the recruitment and training of poll officials, election budgeting and mode of payment to different service providers, security during elections, the use of technology, the accreditation of local and international observers, engagement with electoral stakeholders and other aspects of Nigeria’s electoral experience.
4. In response, the Commission has drawn up an elaborate programme for the visit covering all aspects of the electoral process. Various Departments within the Commission are scheduled to brief the visitors. Peer learning and support will help to strengthen processes. I want to assure CENA that we will fully share our experience with you and make available relevant documents that will enrich your understanding of our processes.
5. Mr. President, I welcome you and your delegation once again to INEC Nigeria.
The PHRC is fully operational. We urge the public to disregard the misleading narratives being propagated by certain media outlets working in collaboration with those aiming to create artificial scarcity and exploit hardworking Nigerians.
The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery which was re-streamed two months ago has been shut down.
We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC.
Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing.
Members of the public are advised to discountenance such reports as they are the figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip-off Nigerians.
Politics › FG To Begin Train Track Construction On Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway In 2025 by naptu2(op): 3:43am On Dec 23, 2024
