The Federal Government has suspended approval for the construction of new road networks across the country. This decision, announced by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Sunday in Calabar, follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu. The focus will now shift to completing ongoing projects, with priority given in the 2025 budget.

Umahi made the announcement during a stakeholders engagement organized by the Federal Ministry of Works on the proposed alignment for sections 3A and design for about 97km spur of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway project. This project includes a segment from Cross River State to the South-East and North-Central regions of Nigeria.

He explained that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway has a section 3A, about 38km long, connecting from the Akwa Ibom axis through Cross River State. Additionally, there will be a 92km spur in Cross River State, making a total of 130km to be constructed within the state. This 92km spur will extend through Enugu, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Abuja, and Lagos states.

Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the poor handling of the existing Odukpani-Itu federal road contract. He issued a warning to contractors to return to the site or risk having their contracts revoked.

The minister described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway project as a significant initiative of President Tinubu aimed at enhancing connectivity and promoting economic growth along Nigeria’s coastal regions. “Once completed, the highway is expected to facilitate smoother transportation of goods and people, boost trade activities, and spur regional development,” he said.

Cross River Governor Bassey Otu, represented by Deputy Governor Peter Odey, pledged support for the coastal highway project, citing its potential economic benefits for the state and the southern and north-central regions of Nigeria. He emphasized the importance of a good road network for economic development and directed the state commissioner for works to engage with the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure the smooth execution of the project, which is scheduled to begin in the Calabar axis in August.

Odey also assured the minister that the state government had secured the necessary executive council approval to pay compensation to facilitate the right of way for contractors handling the Odukpani–Itu federal highway.