Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Remains on Track as Umahi Seeks 400km East-West Road Expansion

Construction continues on sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as the government plans additional road works

The Federal Government says the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway remains on its designated alignment, as construction continues across several states and the Ministry of Works seeks presidential approval for an additional 400 kilometres of East-West Road works.

/ You Might Also Like /

Minister of Works David Umahi gave the update after briefing President Bola Tinubu, maintaining that the coastal highway had not been abandoned or replaced by the proposed East-West Road intervention.

Umahi said surveyors and designers were assessing sections of the coastal highway through Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states, while construction continued on sections already under development.

The proposed East-West Road expansion would complement the coastal highway by improving connectivity across the Niger Delta and addressing damage to existing road infrastructure caused by flooding.

Federal Government Maintains Coastal Highway Alignment

Umahi said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway remained intact and that work was progressing along its planned route.

The minister's comments followed public concerns about whether parts of the coastal highway would be redirected through the existing East-West Road. He maintained that the additional road works would not replace the original highway alignment.

According to Umahi, surveys and design work were continuing across the remaining sections, with procurement and construction to follow as the relevant processes are completed.

The clarification comes amid wider discussions about the route, construction costs and engineering challenges associated with delivering a major highway across coastal terrain.

The distinction between the two projects is important: the coastal highway is the 750km project, while the proposed 400km East-West Road intervention is an additional scheme awaiting presidential approval.

Government Seeks Approval for 400km East-West Road Works

Umahi said the ministry had sought the President's approval to integrate an additional 400 kilometres of East-West Road works, stretching from Edo State through the Niger Delta towards Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

He said the intervention would improve regional connectivity and complement the coastal highway.

Parts of the existing East-West Road are vulnerable to flooding because some sections were constructed below flood level. Umahi cited damage around Abaro in Delta State and similar problems in Edo State as reasons for further intervention.

The proposed works would therefore address both connectivity and the resilience of existing transport infrastructure.

However, the additional 400km scheme had not received the presidential approval being sought at the time of the announcement. Its scope, implementation schedule and funding arrangements will depend on the subsequent decisions and procurement processes.

Construction Progress Varies Across Highway Sections

Umahi provided updates on several sections of the coastal highway, although reported completion levels vary across the route.

He said the 147.47km Section One in Lagos was under construction, while Section Two, measuring 55km on each carriageway, was expected to be ready by the middle of November.

Sections 3A and 3B, covering about 75km in the Cross River and Akwa Ibom areas, had recorded more than 40% completion, according to the minister.

Sections 4A and 4B, covering the Ogun and Ondo axis, were also under construction. At the Calabar end, Umahi said more than 40% of the relevant project work had been completed, while Section Five, covering 62.5km in Akwa Ibom State, had recorded more than 20% completion.

The ministry is also preparing to construct service lanes intended to improve accessibility and functionality along the highway.

The progress figures represent updates provided by the minister. The pace of delivery across the full route will depend on construction activity, engineering requirements and completion of the remaining design and procurement processes.

Road Infrastructure Could Influence Housing and Property Development

The coastal highway and related road projects have implications beyond transport. Improved road connectivity can affect the accessibility of residential areas, the movement of building materials and the commercial attractiveness of locations along major transport corridors.

For housing developers, better road connections can make previously difficult-to-reach sites more practical for residential projects, provided that supporting infrastructure such as electricity, water, drainage and public services is also available.

Improved transport links may also widen access to employment centres, markets and essential services, influencing where households choose to live and where businesses invest.

However, infrastructure construction does not automatically translate into affordable housing or rising property values across every location. Outcomes depend on land-use planning, development approvals, land costs, flood risk, environmental safeguards and the availability of supporting services.

For coastal communities, the distribution of these benefits will depend partly on how the highway connects settlements to economic activity and whether local infrastructure supports development around the route.

Flood Resilience Remains a Concern for Regional Connectivity

The proposed East-West Road intervention highlights the need to consider flood resilience alongside the expansion of transport infrastructure.

Umahi said some existing sections of the road were built below flood level, leaving them vulnerable to damage during periods of heavy flooding. Damage to major roads can disrupt movement, raise transport costs and affect the delivery of goods and construction materials.

For residential development, poor road conditions and recurring flooding can increase the cost of maintaining properties and accessing neighbourhoods. These challenges can also affect the reliability of construction schedules and the delivery of essential services.

Engineering solutions that improve road elevation, drainage and resilience could help reduce disruption. Their effectiveness will depend on appropriate design, maintenance and consideration of wider environmental conditions.

The proposed works therefore carry implications for regional connectivity as well as the long-term reliability of infrastructure serving communities across the Niger Delta.

Delivery and Funding Will Determine the Projects’ Wider Impact

The Federal Government's latest update indicates that work on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is continuing while a separate East-West Road intervention remains under consideration.

For the coastal highway, the immediate priorities include completing sections under construction and advancing surveys, design and procurement for the remaining route. For the proposed East-West Road works, presidential approval and subsequent implementation arrangements remain necessary.

The projects could strengthen transport links across southern Nigeria and improve access to economic centres, but their wider development impact will depend on timely delivery, effective maintenance and coordination with local planning and infrastructure provision.

For the housing sector, the central question is whether improved connectivity will be matched by serviced land, adequate utilities and development planning that supports sustainable communities.

The next milestones will be progress on the remaining highway sections and a decision on the proposed 400km East-West Road intervention. These will help determine how quickly the projects can improve transport reliability and support wider economic and property development along the corridors.

READ MORE