David Umahi Addresses Circulating Video of Crack on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
- Minister of Works, David Umahi, addressed a video trending on social media about a crack noticed on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
- Umahi provided details of the crack, explaining why it won't hinder the ongoing projects, following concerns he received from Nigerians
- The minister revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited stopped funding road projects and how President Tinubu directed alternative funding for these projects
FCT, Abuja – Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the crack on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway isn't a structural failure. He reveals receiving over 500 messages from Nigerians concerning the noticed crack on the road.
Source: Twitter
Umahi stated this at a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, August 6, as reported by The Punch.
Legit.ng gathered that the minister, while addressing journalists, noted that the government requires N3tn to complete all ongoing road projects funded through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited's tax credit scheme.
He explained that the section of the road where the crack was recorded had not been completed.
“I have got over 500 concerns about a crack they noticed at the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Highway Section 1. And I was wondering whether they’re sending it in good faith, or they’re sending it to mock me to say, look at the project you’re proud of, looking at what is happening.
"That section has not been completed. Section 1 is 47.47 kilometres by six. And so you have the main carriageway, you have the shoulder, and so where you notice the crack is some huge section of the shoulder, and not the carriageway with stone base, where we are not presently working on." He clarified.
The minister urged the public to disregard the crack and the negative impression it has created, stressing that no part of the finished carriageway has cracked.
“I want the society to disregard that, you know, social media circulation, and to be assured that work is ongoing. In fact, I directed them to go and close these places. So it’s not an issue at all. Disregard it." He concluded
NNPCL halts funding of road projects
Umahi further revealed a N3tn funding shortfall for roads in the tax credit scheme after the state-owned oil company halted funding. Despite this, he assured that none of the projects under the scheme would be abandoned.
He stated that President Bola Tinubu had instructed that alternative funding be arranged for the projects to ensure their completion.
“So, let me announce that Mr. President directed that no NNPCL project should stop, and that an alternative funding mechanism will be put in place to do it.” Umahi stated
Source: Twitter
FG announced $747 million loan for road project
Legit.ng previously reported that the Federal Government of Nigeria secured a $747 million loan to complete the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project. The spokesperson from the Federal Ministry of Finance confirmed that this loan would be the first loan of this size taken for a road construction project.
This syndicated loan is led by Deutsche Bank and will be channelled into the construction of the first phase of the 700-kilometre highway.
Upon completion, the 700-kilometre (or 435-mile) highway is expected to link nine states between Lagos and Cross Rivers state.
Obasanjo slams Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project
Legit.ng also reported that former president Olusegun Obasanjo strongly criticised the N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as an avenue for corruption and a misallocation of national resources.
Obasanjo aimed a dig at the Bola Tinubu administration for approving N21 billion for a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, calling it an unnecessary expense during a period of economic hardship.
His remarks were documented in Chapter Six of his latest book, Nigeria: Past and Future, where he assessed the leadership styles and governance approaches of past and present Nigerian leaders.
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Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
