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Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Contract Awarded To Hitech Construction Company – FG.
By Anthony Beauty
Lagos – The award of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway construction contract has been granted to Hitech Road Construction Company by the Federal Government. The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, made the announcement during a meeting held in Lagos with engineers from the Federal Ministry of Works and the contractor’s team.
Umahi highlighted that this project, aimed at improving national connectivity, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to Nigeria’s restoration and rapid development. “President Tinubu is eager to fast-track the project’s commencement as part of his nation-improvement initiatives.” Umahi stressed.
The minister revealed that this initial meeting marked the first step, with another meeting scheduled in two weeks to finalize construction agreements. The project will be executed as a Public Private Partnership and will include tolls upon completion, with funding already secured by the contractor.
Phased Construction, Rail Integration, and Tolling Strategy.
Umahi outlined the project’s phased construction approach, including rail integration and toll collection strategy on every completed sections. The highway will link the Lagos-Badagry Expressway Superhighway, the Fourth Mainland Bridge, Lekki Deep Sea Port Road, and connect various points in Northern Nigeria via Ogoja-Ikom.
This highway will serve as a crucial link between South West, South East, the Niger Delta Coast of the South-South, and other regions, integrating with existing federal roads to promote economic and social development across the country.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will begin at Victoria Island near Eko Atlantic City, pass through the Lekki Coastal Road, Lekki Free Trade Zone, and the Dangote Refinery. It will connect Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Aqua-Ibom, and reach Calabar, with careful consideration for environmental and safety factors, particularly in oil-producing areas
The proposed project, spanning roughly 650 to 700 kilometers in its initial design, is set to incorporate rail lines running within the central lanes of the primary roadways.
Governor Umahi disclosed that this endeavor aims to invigorate the tourism sector and introduce industrial hubs encompassing hotels, factories, residential complexes, and various essential amenities.
The minister underscored the pioneering utilization of 11-inch-thick concrete roadways reinforced with 20-millimeter materials. This approach will promote local cement production, enhance steel manufacturing capabilities in Ajaokuta, and harness Nigeria’s abundant bitumen resources
In his words:
- “It is quite innovative and the giant of Africa is beginning to show her prowess and this is being revitalized by the captain of the ship, his excellency President Bola Tinubu.
- “So, this is beautiful. Another good news is that this is going to be built on a concrete road of 11 inches thick with 20-millimeter reinforcement.”
Minister Umahi further acknowledged that the project would face difficulties as it traverses mangroves, marshy regions, flood plains, and diverse soil compositions. Consequently, a blend of construction techniques, such as pile-supported decks, sand filling, and retaining walls, will be utilized to overcome these challenges.
In Umahi words:
“And so, there will be a combination of all kinds of construction methods, the deck on pile would be there, the sand filling would be there, the retaining walls would be there.
“So, it’s a very ambitious project, quite technical and highly rewarding.”
The second meeting, scheduled in two weeks, will focus on the business case study, allowing the project to progress to the design phase. Umahi noted that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a groundbreaking project, the first of its kind in Africa.
“So, the second meeting will come up in two weeks where the business case study will be exposed to us, and we will give them a letter to own the project and then to engage in the design.
“The Lagos-Port Harcourt-Calabar Coastal Highway is the first of its kind in the whole of Africa,”
The Significance and Environmental Aspects of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project.
Nicholas Rizk, the consultant representing Hitech Construction Company, underscored the appropriateness of the chosen construction techniques for a country as vast as Nigeria.
He stressed the project’s far-reaching impact, spanning various geographical terrains and delivering substantial benefits to nine states along its course.
This highway, when completed, will forge critical connections at both national and international scales, serving as an essential conduit linking the South West, South East, South-South, Niger Delta, and other regions.
Moreover, it will seamlessly integrate with the existing federal road network, fostering economic and social progress throughout the nation
In Rizk’s words: “We are connecting nine states and this road.
“In addition to the integration at the national level for Southwest and Southeast, South-South and Niger Delta, it connects with the Federal Roads going from Lagos to Sokoto.
“From Warri to Kaduna, from Port Harcourt to Kano-Maiduguri, and from Calabar to Maiduguri.
“So as the Minister mentioned, we have this coastal highway that is more or less 10 to 12 kilometres away from the shorelines to consider the issue of erosion and the sensitive environmental areas.”
Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, as explained by Rizk, commences from Victoria Island near Eko Atlantic City and traverses through key points such as the Lekki Coastal Road, Lekki Free Trade Zone, and the Dangote Refinery. It ultimately links Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, and culminates in Calabar. Additionally, Rizk outlined the project’s careful consideration of health, safety, and environmental concerns, with a special focus on regions involved in oil production.
IduwiniVoice recall that the Coastal Highway Project received traction over ten years ago when the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC embarked on and completed the Survey, and submitted the report to the Jonathan Administration, whose sketchy moves to concession the project to a consortium Chinese firms fisseled away with the change of regime.
It remains to be seen if the Tinubu Administration can muster an inroad into arguably one of the largest construction ventures across Africa.
By: Favour Bibaikefie
A tragic road accident involving Nigerian-British boxing star Anthony Joshua has reportedly claimed two lives in Ogun State, sparking concern across the country.
The incident occurred on Monday around the Makun axis of the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria’s most heavily trafficked highways. Preliminary information indicates that a vehicle conveying the former heavyweight world champion was involved in a collision with another car, though the exact cause of the crash remains unclear.
Eyewitnesses said emergency responders and security personnel arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to manage traffic and assist victims. Two occupants of the other vehicle were confirmed dead, while details about injuries are still emeraina.
Eyewitnesses said emergency responders and security personnel arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to manage traffic and assist victims. Two occupants of the other vehicle were confirmed dead, while details about injuries are still emerging.
Sources close to the development said Joshua survived the accident, but officials are yet to release a comprehensive statement on his condition or the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
Authorities have commenced investigations to determine the cause of the collision, as motorists were advised to exercise caution while plying the expressway.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has long been notorious for road accidents, often linked to speeding, congestion, and poor visibility, renewing calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved road safety measures.
By: Doubra Stanley
ABUJA, Nigeria – December 26, 2025
The United States military launched coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwest Nigeria on Thursday, confirming a significant escalation in international counter-terrorism cooperation.
President Donald Trump announced the operation, saying U.S. forces had carried out “powerful and deadly” strikes against militants linked to Islamic State in Sokoto State.
According to official statements, the strikes were ordered at the direction of the U.S. Commander-in-Chief and carried out with the support of Nigerian authorities, CBS News reported.
The U.S. Department of War released video footage showing munitions being launched toward militant positions, underscoring Washington’s commitment to confronting extremist groups in West Africa. U.S. Africa Command, which oversees American military operations on the continent, said the initial assessment pointed to the death of several ISIS fighters, Fox News reported.
In a social media post, President Trump framed the strikes as part of a broader effort to halt attacks on vulnerable communities, particularly in areas where extremist violence has surged.
Nigerian officials described the operation as part of ongoing security cooperation, emphasizing shared intelligence and strategic planning to counter persistent threats from extremist factions.
The operation marks one of the most visible U.S. military actions in Nigeria in 2025, reflecting deepening ties between Abuja and Washington in addressing the complex security landscape marked by Islamist insurgencies and criminal violence. Nigerian authorities reiterated that the fight against terrorism transcends religious lines, stressing that violent groups have targeted both Christian and Muslim communities in recent years, Reuters added.
Security analysts say the strikes may signal further foreign involvement in countering extremist networks in the region, even as Nigerian forces continue domestic operations against multiple militant groups.
© IduwiniVoice
By: Divine Perezide
As the countdown begins for the forthcoming Ijaw Media Conference Volume 2, the organizers, Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has announced that the President of Egbema Brotherhood, Alaowei Promise Lawuru, has accepted the role of Guest of Honour come December 2025.
IPF had earlier announced the second edition of its annual event, with the Christined “Safeguarding Niger Delta’s Natural Resources for Future Generations.”
Chief Lawuru, the young Ijaw businessman and politician, received a delegation of the Central Working Committee led by Pastor Arex Akemotubo last Monday, where the invitation was extended to him.
Akemotubo explained that this year’s theme was chosen out of concern for the growing strain on the region’s land and waters. The Publisher of WaffiTV stressed that the forum wants to strengthen public understanding, support honest reporting, and encourage leaders to protect the resources of the Niger Delta for generations to come, adding that Lawuru’s antecedence of service to humanity and unwavering commitment to community development made him a natural choice for the role.
Chief Lawuru welcomed the invitation and spoke warmly about the need for shared responsibility among stakeholders and groups such the IPF. He commended the Forum for using media to defend the region’s interests and promised full support for the conference.
Lawuru further urged other stakeholders across the Ijaw nation to throw their weight behind efforts that safeguard the resources and environment of Ijaw nation in particular and the larger Niger Delta region.
As the train continues to galvanise leaders across the region, IduwiniVoice can report that the who is who in the Niger Delta from business to political sphere are marked to be in attendance.
IduwiniVoice