Coastal Highway: Akwa Ibom and Cross River Sections Construction Begins in August- David Umahi

Sen. David Umahi, the Minister of Works, stated that work on Sections 3b and 4 of the Coastal Highway’s Akwa Ibom-Cross River axis would begin in August 2024.

The minister explained that the routes in Akwa Ibom have two sections, 27 and 80 kilometres, totaling 107 km, respectively, which would be about the fourth in length from Lagos to Cross River states. He was speaking at a Stakeholders’ Engagement on the alignment of Sections 3b and 4 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on Saturday in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.

He said, “Mr. President Bola Tinubu graciously ordered that Cross River and Akwa Ibom be the starting points for Sections 3 and 4.” We are here to introduce the routes in Akwa Ibom because of this. The routes consist of two pieces, by the way: Section 4 is 80 km long and Section 3b is 27 km long. Therefore, Akwa Ibom is generally benefiting from 107 km, or almost one-fourth of the total length from Lagos to Cross River.

In August, work will start concurrently when we award them Sections 3 and 4 and finalise the procurement process.

Nonetheless, Umahi cautioned contractors against causing undue delays in project completion, stating that the federal government would not think twice to sever the contract if the contractor was not up and running and swiftly give it to a different, reliable contractor.

He lamented that despite significant financial investments from the government, construction behemoths like Julius Berger, China Civil Engineering and Construction Company, and Reynolds Construction Company had not been able to complete their projects.

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He threatened to terminate their employment if the three did not mobilise to the site by next week.

Umahi also expressed dissatisfaction over the contractors’ refusal to mobilise to the site, citing non-payment of compensation as an explanation. However, Umahi pointed out that the Akwa Ibom State government had already resolved compensation disputes regarding the Calabar-Itu road.

As a result, he pointed out that the federal government had put in place mechanisms to help local contractors compete with foreign contractors. He also declared that the government would no longer accept any kind of unscrupulous behaviour or games that would cause the public or other road users great suffering.

“The President has provided adequate funding to support the projects,” he declared. Similarly, Julius Berger’s employment will be terminated at the end of this coming week if he does not return to the site and the CCECC does not mobilise to at least three parts of the road.

The RCC-constructed portion of the Akwa Ibom to Cross River route, which passes via Itu and Odukpani, is still the worst road in the entire South-South. RCC is pulling pranks, having amassed almost N40 billion on one stretch of road—15 km of roads—and N156 billion that they inherited from the previous government. We have been trying to get them to think differently, and by the end of the following week, we will have served our 14-day notice to cancel the contract. After that, we will hand over the projects to people who are skilled in concrete laying.

Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Meeting, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged Umo Eno, the state governor, and all other stakeholders to provide the contractors with their fullest cooperation from the moment the project begins.

He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for hearing his request that the Coastal Highway be built concurrently with the Lagos segment in order to expedite completion. The request was made to ensure that the highway travels through Akwa Ibom State.

The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, promised in his speech that his administration would provide sufficient security and other logistical support to ensure the road’s timely completion. He also revealed that his government had made compensation payments for the Calabar-Itu road.