Minister of Works, David Umahi has defended the price of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, saying an ordinary kilometer costs N7.5 billion, about $5.5 million.
Umahi acknowledged this throughout an unique interview on Arise Television, the place he was requested to justify the excessive value of the challenge.
The minister stated Section One of the freeway, which is 47.47 kilometers, costs N1.067 trillion.
According to him, the N7.5 billion per kilometer calculation was arrived at after dividing the full value of the six-lane freeway to get the price of an ordinary two-lane federal freeway.
“A regular coastal highway goes for N7.5 billion per kilometer of ordinary freeway. However, this N7.5 billion consists of all of the fillings, shore protections, photo voltaic lighting all through, and planting of bushes,” Umahi stated.
The former Ebonyi State governor stated the worth covers concrete pavement designed to final 100 years with out upkeep, shoreline safety, retaining partitions, photo voltaic lighting, flyovers, underpasses, and large sand filling of as much as 20 meters deep in some areas.
“This is an funding that the President is doing, and it is a highway that’s going to final for one more hundred years,” he stated.
Recall that Umahi had earlier in April 2024 stated the highway would value N4 billion per kilometer, a determine that has now nearly doubled, sparking criticism.
Umahi, nevertheless, insisted that the coastal freeway is completely different from a standard highway due to its terrain and options.
He added that by November, motorists would be capable of drive from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos by Sections One, Two and a part of Section Four into Ondo State.
