President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the reconstructed Lekki-Epe Deep Seaport road in Lagos State on Thursday, urging the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to disregard criticism surrounding the multibillion-naira Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
While commending Umahi and Dangote Group Chairman, Aliko Dangote, for their contributions to the Lekki-Epe road reconstruction, Tinubu focused his remarks on the significance of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He said, “A few days ago, we commissioned phase one of the section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway here in Lagos. It’s part of our transformational action. I listen to you, David, and my colleagues, the working folks. I like the remarks of the Minister for Blue Economy, saying they will always support your re-scoping nationwide.
“Well, we are seeing the result of re-scoping. We are not in pain. We are enjoying it. We truly return our engineering, our finances to find more money for infrastructure, which is the backbone of any industrialisation, economic development, and job creation of any nation. We will continue to do so. We will do it.
“But, I’m saying to you, David, don’t listen to those critics.
They don’t know what they are talking about. If they don’t like the road or if it’s too expensive to toll for them, they will go to a demon’s hide. My role is to affirm our commitment as an administration to deliver engineering infrastructure across the country.”
Speaking on Section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, he said, “On my way here, I witnessed the significant progress at Section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with over 10km of the 55km stretch already done. I am also pleased to report ongoing works on Cross River and high-pipeline sections, and I’ve directed small and medium-sized dams.
“The Trans-Saharan Trade Route, another visionary project, is advancing already. It will reconnect Calabar to Abuja via Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa. I have directed accelerated design on the fourth legacy project of the Akure, Jos, Bauchi, and Gombe Corridor to enable procurement to start soon.”
Lauding the success of the road and the tax credit system, the President inaugurated the Lekki Deep-sea port.
He said, “It is therefore my pleasure to commission this road to the glory of God Almighty. Additionally, I’m pleased to commission the following completed projects. It is also my pleasure to flag off the following projects for construction, to the glory of God Almighty: construction of section one, phase 1b, 120km of Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway in Sokoto State; construction of section 2, phase 2B, 258km of Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway in Kebbi State; construction of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, section 2, 55km in Lagos-Ogun State; rehabilitation of Zaria-Kano, the entire road, sections 1, 2, and 3.
“It is a great joy and honour to launch the 152km reconstruction of Ipua-Gaboru-Gala Road, 49.55km in Borno State; completion of dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri Road, linking Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Borno State, section 1, Kano-Wudil-Chayarin, total 100.95km; construction of Maiduguri Ring Road, 108km; construction of Kano Southern Bypass Road in Kano State, 74km; construction of Seventh Axis Road at Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos State, 35km by 6 lanes.
“For the rehabilitation of Lokoja-Benin, only the pavement, section two, section four, with tax credits, so you don’t see my section five, Eko-Mabini, 53km; construction of the dualization of the Yoruguma Trail Road in Oyo State, 104km; dualisation of Kano-Daura-Kongoma Road in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina State, 264km by Moa Tax Credit; reconstruction of Bama-Banki Road in Borno State, 49.15km by Dangote Tax Credit.”
Tinubu further said he had directed the Minister of Works to work with the Surveyor-General of the Federation and all the state governors in granting approvals.
“Let’s work together. I am glad the Deputy Governor of Enugu State is here, thinking that we will remove all those approvals given on the setback or anything, and please note that we are very serious about it. No more planning approvals for those inappropriate islands being created illegally.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, emphasised that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery was in many ways the President’s brainchild.
He said, “The Lekki Free Trade Zone, the site of this industrial complex, was established during your tenure as Governor of Lagos, and I think, Your Excellency, today you are witnessing the tangible fruits of that vision. You are a visionary leader.
“Your Excellency, while in the car, I asked you a question: did you ever really think about this kind of industrial complex when you were trying to establish the Free Trade Zone? And your answer, Excellency, was no. But because you are a visionary leader, I can tell you for a fact, what you have seen today is nothing. We have just started.”
Speaking on the naira-for-crude policy, he noted that the policy enabled Dangote Petroleum Refinery to reduce product prices consistently
He continued, “One of your administration’s most transformative initiatives is the historic naira-for-crude policy, which stands out as a clear testament to your administration’s commitment to economic recovery and national sovereignty.
“This bold policy has enabled us at Dangote Petroleum Refinery to reduce product prices consistently and guarantee availability for the overall benefit of Nigerians. Your Excellency, I know that to some people here in Nigeria, they might think that petrol at less than N900 is expensive. But there is no country in West Africa where petrol is not selling above $1, which is N1,600.
“It has also helped significantly in stabilizing the prices of petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG, and polypropylene to their lowest level ever. The effect of this development is the stabilization of our currency, a critical element in the development of economic policy and budgeting by businesses.”
Addressing Nigeria’s First Policy, Dangote said, “Also commendable is the Nigeria First Policy, recently introduced by your administration, which aims to drastically reduce reliance on foreign goods and services, prioritising local patronage in investment decisions, business operations, and consumption habits. This aligns with our group’s corporate vision of producing what we consume to promote self-sufficiency in meeting the basic needs of our people.”
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced plans for an underground tunnel as part of the current administration’s infrastructure development initiatives.
According to Umahi, the proposed undersea tunnel will serve as a link for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.