Calabar-Abuja Super Highway to Cut Travel Time to Four Hours — Umahi
The Federal Government has signed Memoranda of Understanding and contract agreements for eight major road projects across Nigeria as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s infrastructure development agenda.
The agreements were signed during a ceremony held on Wednesday and Thursday, May 13 and 14, at the Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, described the projects as part of the growing legacy initiatives of President Tinubu aimed at transforming Nigeria’s economy through modern infrastructure.
Umahi disclosed that investors are already expressing strong interest in taking over completed sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway for tolling in order to refund government investments.
“Just like in Section One that we finished in Lagos, a lot of investors are begging to be given that section for them to toll and then give back our money even before they start tolling,” Umahi said.
“So it is an investment, and it is only a person like President Bola Tinubu that can do this.”
The Minister also revealed that the Federal Government had already procured the first 123 kilometres single carriageway of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Super Highway from Calabar through Ebonyi State to the Benue border.
According to him, the newly signed section covers another 173 kilometres through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa States, terminating at the Oweto Bridge.
He added that the government would soon procure the second carriageway of about 300 kilometres from Ndibe Beach to Oweto in Nasarawa State.
Umahi said the project would significantly reduce travel time between the South East and Abuja to between three and four hours, while boosting commercial activities in the region.
“I want to say this without any apology, the South East people will reciprocate what the President has done for the people,” he stated.
“What happened in 2023 was an accident of history and in 2027, we will show our appreciation.”
He further noted that the South East had not witnessed the level of federal infrastructure projects currently ongoing under the Tinubu administration.
“I was a governor, I was a deputy governor and we never witnessed federal government projects in South East, but today we are very proud of what the President is doing,” Umahi added.
On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Minister said the project has moved from criticism to national admiration.
“When we started the coastal highway, people did not believe it would become a reality, but today the entire country is waving flags for President Bola Tinubu because that project is a beauty to behold,” he said.
Umahi described the highway as an economic catalyst designed to last for a hundred years with minimal maintenance.
According to him, by November motorists will be able to travel from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos through Sections One, Two and part of Section Four into Ondo State on completed portions of the road.
He added that Sections 3A and 3B covering Cross River and Akwa Ibom States are already ongoing, while Section Five spanning 165.6 kilometres has commenced.
The Minister commended HITEC Construction Company for its speed and delivery capacity, noting that the company has developed a reputation for constructing up to one kilometre of road daily.
Umahi also defended the cost of the projects, explaining that the roads include reinforced concrete pavement, extensive drainage systems, culverts and modern engineering components.
“And for those asking about cost per kilometre, we are talking about an average of N7.5 billion for a standard carriageway,” he explained.
“This is not just a road project. This is an investment.”
On the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Umahi said Section IV covering the Oyo axis spans 360 kilometres, adding that the project reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to balanced development across the six geopolitical zones.
He also highlighted progress on the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road project, revealing that President Tinubu personally directed that the original asphalt design be replaced with concrete pavement for durability.
“The President said we should do concrete roads so that when we build them, they will last for a hundred years,” Umahi stated.
The Minister said the Federal Government would provide 30 percent counterpart funding for the projects, while the remaining 70 percent would be financed through loans.
He added that tolling arrangements and strategic land acquisition along the road corridors would guarantee long-term returns on investment.
The four major legacy project sections signed include:
Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway, Section II
Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Section IV
Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Section V
Dualisation of Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road, Section II
Other projects signed include the reconstruction of the Mando-Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State, dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road, construction of the Osogbo-Ikirun-Akoda Road and the Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, described the signing ceremony as the formal commencement of implementation following the completion of procurement processes.
Responding on behalf of the contractors, Chief Executive Officer of HITEC Construction Company, Dany Abboud, assured the Federal Government of timely delivery and quality execution.
“Our commitment is always on the table. We are committed to delivering these jobs before the thirty-six months awarded,” Abboud said.
