By ISAAC AFOLABI, OLUMIDE ABUDU
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi has defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, dismissing criticisms that it is a waste of resources.
He emphasized that the project was designed to boost Nigeria’s economy.
Senator Umahi made this assertion during the second stakeholders’ engagement and the unveiling of the 71-kilometer alignment of the Ondo State section of the highway in Akure.
The minister urged Nigerians to commend President Bola Tinubu for initiating the project, alongside other critical road construction efforts aimed at driving infrastructural development across the country.
Senator Umahi further explained that the 71-kilometer stretch in Ondo State had been redesigned to reduce costs while also ensuring connectivity with neighboring states like Edo.
The Minister announced that work was ongoing on the Akure-Iju-Ikere road and Ore-Ondo-Akure highway while the contractor handling the Ipele-Isua road project had been summoned for a briefing on the delay.
Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for prioritizing road construction in the state with an assurance of conducive environment for the smooth execution of the project.