The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has clarified that the crack spotted along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is not a structural failure, but a minor issue occurring on the unfinished shoulder section of the ongoing project.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Umahi responded to widespread social media concerns, saying that over 500 messages were sent to him regarding the reported crack. He dismissed the panic as misinformed, explaining that the structural integrity of the main carriageway remains intact.
“Absolutely, it’s not an issue at all,” Umahi said. “The affected section is still under construction. The crack is on the shoulder, not on the main carriageway. No section of the completed road has cracked — and none will.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a flagship infrastructure project under the Tinubu administration, spans over 700km and aims to boost trade, tourism, and regional integration across the southern corridor of Nigeria.
In a major financial revelation, the Minister disclosed that the Federal Government requires ₦3 trillion to complete roads currently being funded through the NNPC Limited Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme. However, Umahi revealed that NNPC has suspended funding for these projects as of August 1, 2025, raising concerns about the sustainability of the initiative.
“President Bola Tinubu has directed that no ongoing NNPC-funded project should stop,” Umahi noted. “Alternative funding mechanisms are being explored to bridge the gap and ensure timely delivery.”
Umahi praised President Tinubu’s leadership and commitment, calling him a “man with a large heart” who is determined to see infrastructure projects through despite financial challenges.
Issuing a stern warning, Umahi cautioned contractors lacking the capacity to execute such high-scale projects to stay away. He emphasized that the Ministry would no longer tolerate underperformance or gamesmanship.
“We will not leave the fate of Nigerians in the hands of contractors hoping to manipulate the system. We expect only serious, capable contractors to take part.”
In another development, the Works Minister announced plans to introduce protective spikes under flyover bridges, particularly in areas like Keffi and Lagos-Ibadan expressway, to prevent overloaded trucks from damaging key infrastructure.
The plan includes the installation of 6.5-meter gantries with steel spikes to restrict the movement of oversized vehicles under sensitive structures — a proactive response to repeated incidents of bridge damage across the country.
“This is to prevent avoidable collapses and ensure long-term durability of our bridges,” he added.
The Lagos-Calabar project is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national infrastructure development plan, yet its success hinges on consistent funding, effective project management, and public trust. With transparency efforts like public concession data, Umahi aims to build credibility for the ministry’s operations.
Despite skepticism from some quarters, the Minister reaffirmed his belief in the project’s integrity and longevity.
“There’s no cause for alarm. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will stand the test of time.”