By Victoria Attah, Correspondent
The Federal Government on Tuesday moved forward with plans to expand Nigeria’s road infrastructure network after sealing new agreements with construction firms handling key highway projects across several parts of the country.
The agreements, signed between the Federal Ministry of Works and Hitech Africa Limited as well as Infiouest International Limited, cover major sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja route, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri road corridor.
At the signing ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the projects were designed to improve transportation, open up economic corridors, and strengthen regional connectivity. He said despite public criticism that greeted some of the projects at their early stages, the administration remained committed to delivering what he described as long-term infrastructure capable of transforming trade and mobility.
Umahi pointed to ongoing work on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, insisting that the project was already beginning to demonstrate its economic importance. “When we started the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, many doubted its feasibility, but today the project has become a beauty to behold and an economic catalyst for Nigeria,” he said.
According to the minister, one of the newly signed sections of the coastal highway cuts through swampy terrain in Akwa Ibom State, requiring extensive engineering work, including deep soil reinforcement and drainage construction. He added that the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway would pass through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, while another section of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway would be constructed in Oyo State.
Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government would provide part of the funding for the projects, while additional financing would come through structured investment arrangements under the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing model. He also revealed that the highways would eventually be tolled after completion to support maintenance and cost recovery.
The minister praised the contractors for what he described as professionalism and adherence to project specifications, expressing confidence that the roads would be delivered within schedule.
Managing Director of Hitech Africa Limited, Mr. Dany Abboud, assured the government that the company was prepared to complete its sections within the projected 36-month timeline. He said the firm intended to build on the progress already recorded on the first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, described the projects as part of broader efforts by the Tinubu administration to modernise the country’s infrastructure and improve economic activities across regions.
The agreements signed include Section II of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway, Section IV of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Section V of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and Section II of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri dual carriageway project.
