Lagos: The Federal Government has set aside Dec. 12 to Dec. 17 to publicly open Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway for public use. The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, gave the assurance on Sunday in Lagos during a review of outstanding works on Section 1 of the highway project.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Section 1 is 47.47 km long and features six lanes and two carriageways. Umahi noted plans to have Section 1 and half of Section 2 fully completed and commissioned by April next year. The contractor, Hitech Construction Company Ltd., has reportedly achieved more than 80 percent completion of the reinforced concrete pavement.
Umahi expressed gratitude to God, the President, and the contractor for their efforts. He highlighted the challenges faced, such as removing pits up to a depth of 20 meters, which were not initially anticipated. Despite these hurdles, the project is nearing completion, with just about three kilometers left to complete the sand filling from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Junction.
The new Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Olufemi Dare, informed the minister about ongoing settling at Chainage 33 of the project and commended the contractor for the quality of work. He noted the preservation of a community palace, expressing the community’s happiness with the project’s progress.
Mr. Dany Abboud, Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company Ltd., mentioned ongoing backfill operations from Chainage 34 to Chainage 37 and highlighted the monitoring of settlement in swampy and water body areas due to alignment changes.