Lagos-Calabar Highway Construction Reaches 40% Completion Ahead of Schedule
The ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has reached 40% completion, ahead of the government's projected schedule, in what officials are calling a milestone for Nigeria's infrastructure drive.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has achieved 40 per cent completion, surpassing the pace set in the original project timeline, according to the Federal Ministry of Works.
The infrastructure project, one of the most ambitious road construction endeavours in Nigeria's history, stretches over 700 kilometres along the country's coastline and is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the southwest and southeast.
**Progress Update**
Engineers working on the project confirmed that the Lagos-Ogun stretch has been largely completed to base course level, while work on the Ondo and Delta sections is progressing rapidly. Contractors have deployed heavy machinery along multiple segments simultaneously to maintain momentum.
The Ministry of Works said all key milestones for the first quarter of construction are on track, and several bridge structures along the route are ahead of schedule.
**Economic Significance**
Once completed, the highway is expected to open up economic opportunities along Nigeria's southern coastline, connecting communities that have long been isolated by poor road infrastructure. Analysts say it could boost agricultural exports from the Niger Delta and southeast regions by reducing haulage costs and transit times significantly.
The project will also provide an alternative route to the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, potentially reducing gridlock on one of Africa's most congested roads.
**Funding and Accountability**
The project is being funded through a combination of federal government allocation and a public-private partnership arrangement. Civil society groups monitoring the project have cautiously welcomed the progress while calling for greater transparency about costs and procurement processes.
**Completion Timeline**
Authorities say the full project remains on course for completion within the originally stated timeframe. However, engineers note that progress may slow during the peak rainy season, and officials have urged contractors to complete vulnerable sections before the heaviest rainfall arrives.