The Federal Ministry of Works has dismissed reports that the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been discontinued or realigned in favour of the East-West Road, insisting that both projects will proceed independently.
In a statement signed by Engr. Musa Saidu, Director of Highway Bridges and Design, the ministry said President Bola Tinubu had not directed the abandonment of the coastal highway, describing the reconstruction of the East-West Road as an additional project rather than a replacement for the existing route.
The ministry explained that the approximately 400-kilometre East-West Road reconstruction, covering the corridor from Edo to Cross River State, became necessary because sections of the existing pavement were badly damaged and had fallen below flood levels amid changing climate conditions.
It stressed that the additional project would not alter the original alignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway or delay its implementation.
According to the ministry, construction and development activities on the coastal highway are continuing across several sections, while surveys and designs are underway for the remaining stretches.
The ministry listed Sections 3a and 3b, covering Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, as comprising 75 kilometres of dualised highway. Sections 4a and 4b, covering Ogun and Ondo states, account for another 65 kilometres, while Section 5 in Akwa Ibom State covers 62 kilometres.
Surveying and design work is also ongoing on the remaining sections, extending from the end of the Ondo axis through Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
The statement also cited the 410-kilometre Wukari-Langtan route, approved as an additional leg of the Fourth Legacy Project, which covers the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri corridor.
According to the ministry, the addition has expanded the corridor from 700 kilometres to 1,100 kilometres of dualised roads.
“The public is invited to please ignore any misinformation on the committed efforts of Mr President to deliver these projects as planned,” the statement said.
