Federal Ministry of Works

Dec

2025

LATEST PRESS

FG Temporarily Opens Completed Stretch of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to Traffic

In a significant milestone towards enhancing accessibility and connectivity across Nigeria, the Federal Government has temporarily opened the 30-kilometre completed Section I, Phase 1 of the 47.474-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to traffic. This development is aimed at easing traffic congestion during the upcoming festive periods and providing a world-class road infrastructure for Nigerians. The Honorable Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr.) David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, opened it to traffic on Friday, 12 December, 2025, on behalf of Mr. President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the legacy projects under the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to transform the nation's transportation landscape. The project, which spans across nine states, including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, is expected to bring numerous benefits, including increased tourism potential, job creation, regional integration, shoreline protection, and improved economic prosperity,” says Engr. Umahi.

The temporarily opened stretch commences at the Ahmadu Bello Way Junction in Victoria Island and terminates at the Eleko Village Junction in Lekki, Lagos State. The road, which was awarded to Hitech Construction Africa Limited, features a reinforced rigid pavement dual-carriage highway with accompanying drainage and culverts, median barriers, street lighting, and the relocation of public utilities.

The project is being funded under the EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction + Financing) model, which allows the contractor to handle both construction and financing. The total cost of the project is N1,067,887,381,148. 61K (one trillion, sixty-seven billion, eight hundred and eighty-seven million, three hundred and eighty-one thousand, one hundred and forty-eight naira, sixty-one kobo).

The Minister, while commending the contractor and relevant stakeholders, noted that the occasion is a testament to the Federal Government's commitment to delivering on its campaign promises. "This project is a critical component of our efforts to improve the living standards of Nigerians and provide a world-class infrastructure that will enable economic growth and development," the Minister stated.

The Highway is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, particularly in the region. It provides a seamless and efficient transportation system, reducing travel time and increasing connectivity between Lagos and other towns along the West-East Coast.

The entire project, which is being executed in phases, is already recording significant progress with work ongoing at the Akwa Ibom and Cross River States end of the corridor.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Rafiu Adeladan, noted that the project is a demonstration of the Federal Government's commitment to improving the nation's infrastructure. “This project is a critical component of our effort to drive economic growth and development, and we are committed to delivering it to Nigerians on time,” he reiterated..

Engr. Olufemi Dare, Federal Controller of Works (FCW), Lagos State, outlined the project's objectives, highlighting its potential to create jobs, improve access, and boost the economy. He described the project as a game-changer for the region, capable of transforming the lives of the people.

Engr. Dany Abboud, Managing Director of HITECH Construction Company Africa Limited provided an update on the project's progress, noting that work commenced 20 months ago and sand filling has been completed on the remaining 17.474 kilometres of the alignment. “The entire stretch of 47.474km is expected to be completed before the end of the second quarter of 2026, he reassured Nigerians. He expressed confidence in the government’s commitment to the delivery of the iconic highway on time and with minimal disruptions. He, however, advised motorists to exercise caution, while using the road, as workers would still be on site completing some aspects of the project.

The event was also graced by His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul-Wasiu Omogbolahan, the Oniru of Iruland, other traditional rulers, community leaders, as well as members of the host community. The Oniru expressed gratitude to the President for the temporary opening of the road. He further acknowledged the significance of the project to the region and appreciated the efforts of the Federal Government in bringing this vital infrastructure to his people.

Other dignitaries who spoke at the event, including Hon. Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, Chairman, Conference 57 of Chairmen, Lagos State, and Moremi Ojudu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South West, drummed the importance of the highway in promoting regional integration and economic growth.

Abiodun J. Owonikoko SAN, Team Leader, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway’s Federal Government Legal Team, briefed the gathering on the litigations surrounding the project, disclosing that 27 court cases were filed against the Federal Government, out of which 7 major ones had been won, with most of the remainder being settled out of court

Sen. Barinada Mpigi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, pledged that the National Assembly is in support of the President in ensuring the project's completion, through adequate appropriation and oversight.

The epoch-making event is a testament to the Federal Government's commitment to infrastructure development and economic growth, underscoring the need for continuity.

*Mohammed A. Ahmed*
Director Press and Public Relations.
13 December, 2025.

Dec

2019

Fashola Not Defrauded Of Sum Of N3.1m The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has debunked recent Social Media reports that he was defrauded of the sum of N3.1 million by a Yahoo Boy who is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Setting the records straight on Monday, the Minister, who said he neither knew nor transacted any business with the suspect that involved or would have led to his being swindled, explained that the amount being mentioned was the worth of Air Miles which the suspect derived from fraudulently hacking into his (Minister’s) internet account and creating a false identity with which he, among other benefits, bought first class tickets to various parts of the world. Having persistently hacked into the accounts for over a period of six years, the suspect was tracked by the Minister until enough evidence was gathered which was then passed on to the security agencies. ...

Dec

2019

Edo State Government Commends Federal Government On Efforts To Fix Ekpoma Erosion Challenge The Government of Edo State has commended the Federal Government on efforts being made to fix the perennial erosion problem in Ekpoma , Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. The Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Mr Godwin Obaseki gave the commendation when he received in audience a team of officers of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing led by the Director Highway Design Road for the South South Zone. Engr. Oluropo Oyetade during a courtesy visit Governor Obaseki assured that Edo State Government would give the required support and cooperation to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to commence and deliver the erosion control project at the Ekpoma stretch of the dual carriageway from Obajana to Benin City. Governor Obaseki assured that his government would help to sensitize the people on structures to be demolished and compensated for the smooth take-off and completion of the erosion control project in Ekpoma. The Governor stressed the need for the Federal Government to fix the bad portions of arterial roads within and outside Edo State because of their social economic importance. Some of the arterial roads among others identified by Governor Obaseki to be rehabilitated for easy flow of traffic are: Okene to Benin, Sapele – Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt – Onitsha , Agbo –Okene roads. The Governor noted that the entry points to most of the arterial roads were bad and should be rehabilitated as a matter of national emergency. He commended the efforts being made by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for the on-going construction and rehabilitation of the dual carriage road from Obajana junction in Kogi state to Benin City, the Edo state capital . Speaking earlier Engr. Oluropo Oyetade said that the purpose of their visit was to brief the Executive Governor of Edo State the plan of the Ministry to fix the perennial erosion problem at the Ekpoma axis of the Obajana –Benin dual carriage way and inspect the site of the project Engr Oyetade also sought for the support and cooperation of the Edo State Government in sensitizing the people on structures that would be demolished and compensated for the smooth execution of the erosion control challenge. Engineer Oyetade assured the governor that frantic efforts were being made by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to fix the failed portions of on the Obajana – Benin City dual carriage way for free flow of traffic during the 2019 yuletide. He also assured that at least one alignment of the four sections dual carriage way would be delivered by the Federal Government on or before June 2020. ...

Dec

2019

OBAJANA – BENIN ROAD: One Alignment Of The Road To Be Completed In Six Months The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensure that one alignment of the Obajana –Benin road is completed before June 2020. The road which is in four sections,i.e. section one to four was awarded in 2012 but due to paucity of fund the job lingered. Speaking during the inspection tour of the road, the Director of Highway Design Road, Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Oluropo Oyetade said that the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN had given both the contractors and controllers of works as well as engineers of the Ministry a marching order to repair and restore portions of the road affected by adverse weather condition such as erosion menace. He said, “the Minister has been meeting with contractors, controllers of works and directors since September to look at the challenges and progress of work on our highways.” Speaking further, Engr. Oyetade stated that government was also carrying out some palliative measures in curbing the perennial flooding at the Ekpoma section of the road. He assured Nigerians plying the road of pleasurable travel time during the 2019 yuletide.“All the design problems the four sections are having are being looked into, we will give a final solution to the erosion challenges we are facing on the portion of the road” he explained. Earlier, on a courtesy visit to the Onojie of Ekpoma, His Royal Highness Barrister A.E Abumere II, received by the Personal Assistant on Security and Business matter to the Onogie, Chief OnioBenson Idoboiwa,the Director called for the cooperation and support of the host community as the construction would affect some structures along the way. He added that compensation would be paid for any structure affected. Responding,Chief Omo Benson reassured the Federal Government’s delegation of the community’s maximum support and cooperation, saying,“We are happy and waiting to celebrate the completion of the road. No Esan man will attack any person that is bringing development to Esan land as demonstrated during the construction of Ambrose Ali University, Epkoma.” Also excited by the Federal Government's effort on the erosion control projectin Ekpoma is one Akhuewu Ogbemudia an indigene of Ukpenu – Community of Ekpoma. He said:“It is a welcome relief because the road has been a big problem to them for a long time now. As government has remembered us we say thank you and we will support what government is doing in this community.” A staff of Dantata and Sawoe construction company handling the road Surv. Bashir Atanda said that his company has the capacity to deliver the job within six months iffunded. A representative of the Edo State Government , Director of Highway Maintenance, Engr (Mrs) Dupe Bello was part of the team that toured the Ekpoma section of the Obajana –Benin road. ...