On Sunday, Sen. Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, announced that he had received a presidential order to immediately commence the design of the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway.
This announcement came after his inspection of the final part of the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway’s realignment in Lagos.
Umahi expressed his delight that the President had also instructed him to initiate the design of the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway immediately. This highway is a branch of the Coastal highway and spans 1000 kilometres. He assured that the design process has begun and that construction would commence from the Sokoto side, the starting point, as soon as the Federal Executive Council gives its approval.
In addition, Umahi revealed plans for another branch that would extend from Enugu through Abakaliki and Ogoja to Cameroon. This branch, approximately 361 kilometres long, would pass through Otukpo, Benue, Nasarawa, and terminate at Apo in Abuja. He stated that this plan would also be presented to the President for approval.
Upon completion, the coastal road would link the South-West, South-South, North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions of Nigeria. Umahi strongly believes in the significance of the coastal road project, stating that it would be a first in Africa and a legacy never before seen on the continent.