The Federal Ministry of Works and the leadership of the National Assembly Committees on Works have reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with the Lagos State Government to ensure the successful delivery and long-term sustainability of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project.
The resolution was reached during a strategic meeting held on Monday at Lagos House, where the Minister of Works, David Nweze Umahi, led members of the National Assembly Committees on Works and officials of the ministry on a courtesy visit to Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The meeting followed an earlier engagement between the minister and the Chairman of the Dangote Group.
Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between the Federal and Lagos State Governments, particularly on the proposed concession framework for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and measures to protect the project’s Right-of-Way in line with international engineering standards.
Umahi described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a world-class coastal transport corridor designed to meet global engineering standards. He stressed that protecting the Right-of-Way would require the provision of dedicated service roads, service lanes, pedestrian walkways, utility corridors, modern drainage systems and adequate setbacks to preserve the infrastructure and ensure public safety.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working closely with Lagos State and other stakeholders to deliver the highway to the highest international standards.
He also directed the ministry’s engineers, design consultants and technical team, alongside the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and other relevant agencies, to sustain technical collaboration with the Lagos State Government in addressing outstanding engineering, environmental and Right-of-Way issues.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended Umahi for what he described as his dedication and professionalism in delivering critical infrastructure projects across the country. He also praised the National Assembly for providing legislative support, budgetary approvals and oversight that have advanced the Federal Government’s infrastructure agenda under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The governor noted that while Lagos stands to benefit significantly from the coastal highway, the project will also stimulate economic growth across Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
According to him, the highway will improve regional connectivity, facilitate trade and logistics, reduce transportation costs, promote tourism, attract private investment, create employment opportunities and unlock new economic corridors across southern Nigeria.
Addressing the recurring issue of flooding, Sanwo-Olu explained that Lagos, as a low-lying coastal state with a rapidly growing population, is particularly vulnerable to flooding, rising sea levels and the effects of climate change.
He added that indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains, canals and waterways by residents has continued to worsen flooding, reiterating the state’s zero-tolerance policy against environmental violations.
The governor stressed that effective flood mitigation along the Coastal Highway corridor would depend on the strict protection of the Right-of-Way, including the construction of service roads, pedestrian walkways and properly engineered drainage systems.
He urged property owners and developers along the corridor to cooperate with government by allowing sufficient space for critical infrastructure in line with approved engineering standards.
Sanwo-Olu also reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to partnering with the Federal Ministry of Works while appealing for sustained Federal Government investment in strategic infrastructure, noting that Lagos remains Nigeria’s commercial hub and requires continuous support to meet the demands of its growing population.
The meeting ended with both governments reaffirming their shared commitment to delivering a resilient, climate-responsive and internationally competitive Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway capable of driving economic growth, regional integration and sustainable national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Works, the leadership of the National Assembly Committees on Works, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagements, as well as senior officials and aides from the Federal Ministry of Works.