ENUGU — Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has defended the financial expenditure on the ongoing 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, stating that a standard kilometre of the corridor costs an average of ₦7.5 billion.
Speaking during an interactive session with newsmen in Enugu on Friday, October 23, 2026, Umahi clarified that the ₦7.5 billion figure reflects the complex engineering requirements, extensive shore protection, and structural features built into the highway’s design.
Providing a breakdown of current construction expenses, the minister explained that Section One of the highway—spanning 47.47 kilometres—costs approximately ₦1.067 trillion. He noted that the ₦7.5 billion per-kilometre estimate was calculated by taking into account the total cost of the multi-lane dual carriageway relative to standard federal highway configurations.
“This project is not a conventional road; it is a major structural investment built over challenging coastal terrains,” Umahi stated. “The ₦7.5 billion per kilometre cost includes extensive sand filling, solid concrete pavements, comprehensive drainage channels, shore protection barriers, solar-powered streetlights, and reinforcement structures needed to guarantee durability.”
The minister revealed that substantial progress has been made on the initial phases, assuring that motorists will be able to travel seamlessly from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos through Sections One, Two, and parts of Section Four extending into Ondo State by November 2026.
Addressing public scrutiny surrounding project costs and transparency, Umahi maintained that the administration remains committed to prudent financial management and quality delivery, adding that value-capture models—including tolling and commercial development along the corridor—will yield long-term economic returns for the country.
