Morganable politics/Governance
The Federal Government also secured approval for the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road corridor, stretching from Lokoja to Benin, a route considered critical for commerce and inter-state travel.
kaNo —
President Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres, increasing its total length from about 700 kilometres to approximately 1,100 kilometres, in what the Federal Government described as a major boost to national infrastructure development.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he also announced a series of new approvals by the President, including the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, completion of abandoned bridge projects, and expansion of key transport corridors across the country.
Umahi said the approvals marked another milestone in the administration’s infrastructure renewal agenda and underscored Tinubu’s commitment to delivering legacy projects that would enhance connectivity, economic growth, and national integration.
“The greatest story is that yuesterday, President Bola Tinubu approved the addition of 400 kilometres to our Fourth Legacy Road. That is unprecedented,” the minister said.
According to Umahi, the extension will strengthen connectivity between the North-Central and North-East regions while opening up new economic corridors across historically significant communities.
“That project will pass through notable locations, linking several communities and extending down to Taraba. It is a significant expansion that will improve regional integration and economic activities,” he explained.Tinubu Approves Reconstruction Of
In another major development, the President approved the complete reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement, following concerns over the durability of the recently rehabilitated road.
“It is 135 kilometres by two carriageways. That project is not up to five years old, yet it has already started failing,” the minister said.
“We took journalists and members of the National Assembly there to see for themselves. The road was repaired, but it still failed. The answer is to reconstruct it using reinforced concrete pavement that will last between 50 and 100 years, maintenance-free.”
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is one of Nigeria’s busiest highways, linking the commercial hub of Lagos to other parts of the country, and its reconstruction is expected to significantly improve travel time, safety, and economic activities along the corridor.
Umahi also announced that Tinubu had approved the completion of the long-abandoned Ibi Bridge project in Taraba State. The bridge, which was initially awarded in 2018, had reached about 40 per cent completion before work was halted.
In addition, the President approved the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge across the Benue River in Taraba State. Umahi said the project would be designed, procured, and awarded as part of efforts to improve connectivity in the region.
“The Lau Bridge is 5.76 kilometres across the river, and the President has approved that it should be designed, procured, and awarded,” the minister stated.
FG Approves Dualization Of East-West Road Corridor
The Federal Government also secured approval for the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road corridor, stretching from Lokoja to Benin, a route considered critical for commerce and inter-state travel.
“The President also approved 400 kilometres of dualised East-West Road running from Lokoja down to Benin. This is another very important intervention in our road infrastructure,” Umahi said.
Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Renamed Tinubu Coastal Highway
Meanwhile, the minister announced that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been officially renamed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway.
Umahi said the decision was taken by the Ministry of Works in recognition of Tinubu’s long-standing vision for the project, which dates back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State over two decades ago.
“That highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway. We decided to name it after him because of his dream for it,” he said.
“He had that dream about 27 years ago. It is one thing to dream and another to have the grace to actualise it. This is one man who dreams and has the capacity to bring those dreams to reality.”
He described Section One, which runs from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos State, as a model of modern highway construction.
“Section One is 47.47 kilometres. It is a dual carriageway with a 25-metre median reserved for a future railway line. That project is a beauty to behold,” he said.
According to him, Section Two, extending from Eleko Village to the Lagos-Ogun boundary, has reached about 60 per cent completion and is expected to be largely completed by November, except for some complex bridge structures.
“We believe that by the end of November, we will have finished that project, except for some bridges due to their complexity,” Umahi added.
Coastal Highway Includes Several Mega Bridges
The minister explained that the coastal highway corridor includes several mega bridges designed to withstand heavy industrial traffic, particularly around the Dangote Refinery axis.
“At the Dangote Refinery corridor, we have to consider the type and frequency of trucks. We have bridges with spans of up to 80 metres instead of the traditional 15 metres. There are about nine mega bridges and flyovers in Section One and about 10 bridges in Section Two,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that work was ongoing in other sections of the project, including Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, and Ondo states.
He said Section Three, covering 75 kilometres from Calabar, has reached about 30 per cent completion, while Section Four, spanning 82 kilometres through Ogun and Ondo states, is about 20 per cent completed.
The minister reiterated that the ongoing and newly approved projects reflect the Federal Government’s resolve to modernise Nigeria’s transport infrastructure and unlock economic opportunities across all regions.
He added that the projects would not only improve connectivity but also create jobs, stimulate investment, and enhance the overall quality of life for Nigerians.
