Works minister David Umahi says President Bola Tinubu will deliver the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as scheduled. The minister, who faulted several criticisms regarding the construction of the highway, said those criticising the project were “motivated by envy because they never believed the president could deliver it”.

Mr Umahi gave the assurance late Wednesday while inspecting the level of work done at the Ondo section of the coastal highway in Ilaje council area.

According to him, section one has already been completed, which is 7.47km from Victoria Island to Elepe village, while section two, about 50km stretching from Lagos to the Ogun border, is about 70 per cent completed.

Mr Umahi added that sections 3A and 3B, covering about 67 kilometres, are progressing, with approximately 30 per cent completed.

The minister stated that section four covers about 82 kilometres, extending through Ogun into Ondo, saying that the president was determined to ensure its completion. He explained that section five, which is about 180 kilometres in Akwa Ibom, is likely the longest section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and work is ongoing there.

“We have another 100-kilometre section beginning at the end of the Ondo section, which is currently at the design stage. What will remain afterwards are the sections through Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states. I also want to respond to some of the comments made by one of those who worked with the president when he was governor. I watched the interview of His Excellency Donald Duke.

“He is a very brilliant man. What impressed me most was that he avoided insults. He was a perfect gentleman, and I am proud of him. However, some of the issues he raised require clarification. When he said the coastal highway would never go beyond Epe, I respectfully disagree. He also said the project was not a priority. Yet, this coastal highway was conceived years ago, but it could not be implemented because of funding constraints and other challenges.

“Those attacking the coastal highway are, in my view, motivated by envy because they never believed this president could deliver it. The man who tamed the Atlantic Ocean is capable of delivering this project. I call him a divine president,” he said.

The minister urged stakeholders and leaders to continue to watch Mr Tinubu’s administration deliver the coastal highway.

“I also saw where the secretary of Afenifere was accusing the Ministry of Works of diverting the coastal highway. Of note was when he said it was diverted upland because of people who own estates there. That is far from the truth. The coastal highway was originally planned to follow the coastline because that was our preference. However, engineering is very dynamic.

“When we designed this section of the coastal highway, it was intended to pass about two kilometres from the shoreline, but then the soil tests, which form the basis of engineering design, revealed a major challenge. Along that route, we encountered very poor soil known in engineering as peat, extending more than 40 to 50 metres deep.

“We encountered peat in Sections 1 and 2 within Lagos, but fortunately it was only about 20 metres deep there, making it manageable. It is extremely difficult to manage peat deposits that are 50 metres deep because they have to be removed and replaced before construction can proceed. We also discovered that the sand we expected from the sea was not suitable,” he stated.

Mr Umahi praised the construction company for what he described as “diligent work” that was also impacting the community with confidence in delivering a good job.

(NAN)