By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NIGERIA’s PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that local content, rule of law, and durable infrastructure delivery are the hallmarks of his government,
The President also directed an uncompromising compliance to this adherence as he commissioned the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and an array of completed federal road projects across Nigeria.
At the commissioning in Lagos, Tinubu tasked Minister of Works David Umahi and fellow cabinet members to enforce full compliance with Nigerian laws on building approvals and construction setbacks.
He warned developers flouting urban planning regulations would no longer receive compensation, underlining the administration’s renewed commitment to rule of law and national interest.
The newly unveiled stretch—Phase I, Section I—runs from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village in the Lekki Peninsula. This marks the beginning of a 700km infrastructure project cutting through nine coastal states including Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
Tinubu hailed the engineering behind the project, particularly the use of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement, calling it a testament to the capacity of Nigerian firms to meet world standards.
“We said we would do it, and we did,” he remarked. “We averted a disaster greater than a tsunami in Victoria Island and Ikoyi.”
He commended Engineer Ronald Chagoury for past contributions in controlling ocean encroachment and encouraged further innovation in Nigeria’s infrastructure development.
Addressing the crowd, the President appealed for public patience and confidence, asserting the economy is regaining stability, citing foreign exchange recovery and falling food prices.
Projects commissioned span all six geopolitical zones. In the South-South, these include the Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road, East-West Road upgrades, and Alesi-Ugep rehabilitation.
In the South East, Tinubu opened the rebuilt Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Section III, a new bridge at Akpoha in Ebonyi, and the reconstructed Enugu Bridge.
South West residents witnessed the commissioning of the Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway Section II, Ikorodu-Shagamu Road, Eko Bridge repairs, and the Epe-Shagamu Deep-Sea Port Access Road.
In the North Central zone, the Shendam Bridge and Ilobu-Erinle road were inaugurated. The North East saw the opening of Jimeta Bridge in Adamawa, while the North West received upgraded Yakasai-Damargu roads and the Kano-Kwanar Danja-Hadeja link.
Newly flagged projects include the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha-Akure-Benin highway, the Nembe-Brass Road, the Enugu-Onitsha Carriageway, and the Zaria-Hunkuyi-Kufur-Gidan Mutum Daya route.
Tinubu also initiated the Kano-Maiduguri Road dualisation, the Kano Northern Bypass, and the Maiduguri Bypass.
Minister Umahi confirmed that the federal government paid ₦18 billion in compensations to affected property owners, underlining Tinubu’s directive that every project must prioritise Nigerian welfare and sustainability.
National Assembly leaders pledged legislative support, while governors from 11 states, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, and industrialists including Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Tony Elumelu, attended the ceremony.
