Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed that several investors are seeking approval to refund and toll completed sections of President Bola Tinubu’s legacy road projects across the country.
Umahi made the disclosure at the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, during the signing of Memoranda of Understanding and contract agreements for eight major road projects nationwide.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Francis Nwaze, the minister said investors had already shown interest in completed sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
“Just like in section one that we finished in Lagos, a lot of investors are begging to be given that section for them to toll and then give back our money even before they start tolling,” Umahi said.
He described the projects as part of the growing legacy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that the Federal Government had already procured 123 kilometres of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Super Highway stretching from Calabar through Ebonyi to the Benue border.
Umahi explained that the newly signed section covers another 173 kilometres through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states to the Oweto Bridge.
He added that the government would soon procure the second carriageway of about 300 kilometres from Ndibe Beach to Oweto in Nasarawa State.
According to him, the superhighway would drastically reduce travel time between the South-East and Abuja to between three and four hours while also boosting economic and commercial activities.
“I want to say this without any apology, the South-East people will reciprocate what the President has done for the people. What happened in 2023 was an accident of history and in 2027, we will show our appreciation,” Umahi stated.
Speaking on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, the minister said initial doubts about the project had gradually disappeared as construction progressed steadily.
He disclosed that by November, motorists would be able to travel from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos through Sections One, Two and part of Section Four to Ondo State.
Umahi further stated that Sections 3A and 3B in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states were ongoing, while Section Five covering 165.6 kilometres had commenced.
“This is not just a road project. This is an investment that the President is doing, and this is a road that is going to last for another hundred years with no maintenance,” he said.
The minister commended HITEC Construction Company for its speed and delivery capacity, saying the company currently delivers up to one kilometre of road daily.
He also revealed that the average cost per kilometre of the projects stands at about N7.5 billion, noting that the amount covers drainage systems, reinforced pavement, concrete works and other engineering components.
On the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Umahi said Section IV covering the Oyo axis spans 360 kilometres and reflects the Federal Government’s determination to spread infrastructure development across all geopolitical zones.
He also highlighted the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road project, revealing that President Tinubu directed that the project be changed from asphalt to concrete pavement to ensure durability.
Umahi stated that the Federal Government would provide 30 percent counterpart funding for the projects, while the remaining 70 percent would be sourced through loans.
He added that tolling and strategic land acquisition along the highways would guarantee long-term returns on the investments.
The four major legacy project sections signed include the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway Section II from Ebonyi State border through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states; Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway Section IV in Oyo State; Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Section V in Akwa Ibom State; and the dualisation of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road Section II in Gombe and Biu, among others.