The 750-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is set to undergo significant enhancements, including the installation of lay-bys and closed-circuit video cameras (CCTV), according to the Minister of Works, David Umahi. These innovations aim to bolster both the security and aesthetic appeal of the highway.

During an inspection of Sections one and two of the project in Lagos on Friday, Umahi highlighted the importance of these features.

“We’re going to plant trees. And of course, we are going to also have some lay-bys. We can decide every five kilometers we have a lay-by where we connect all our CCTV cameras,” he stated. “And then we have vehicles and the security within the cabin there so that the response time will be like 10 minutes.”

The Minister emphasized that the lay-bys will serve as hubs for security apparatus, including vehicles, to ensure rapid responses to emergencies along the highway. He also disclosed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project would undergo a review to address unforeseen challenges and align with emerging environmental realities.

Umahi praised the landmark infrastructure development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, commending the President’s vision for initiating legacy projects aimed at connecting critical economic corridors and enhancing the transportation ecosystem across the six geo-political zones.

“The President has given very serious attention to road infrastructure. Don’t forget that this Coastal Highway and, of course, the four Legacy Projects all have the train track incorporated,” Umahi noted.

The Minister also acknowledged the President’s commitment to funding the Works sector, despite competing demands from other priority areas of the economy. Highlighting the transformative potential of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other legacy projects, Umahi announced plans to review the contract to incorporate features that would enhance its socio-economic impact.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works, Olukorede Keisha, acknowledged the challenges encountered during the initial stages of the project.

“We faced unexpected issues, including massive refuse dumps resembling Olusosun landfill, some as deep as five meters,” Keisha said. “The contractor has since removed the debris and replaced it with sand sourced from the ocean, ensuring a solid foundation for the project.”

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a key component of Nigeria’s infrastructure development strategy, promising to enhance connectivity and economic growth across the region.

With the planned enhancements, the highway is poised to set new standards in road safety and environmental sustainability.

StreetReporters.ng

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