President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday snubbed Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the commissioning of the Lagos-Calabar highway.
The commissioning of the first 30-kilometre stretch of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway marked the official launch of what Tinubu described as a bold step toward economic transformation, national unity, and infrastructure legacy.
The event was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Finance Minister Wale Edun, and second-term governors including Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), among others.
While entering the venue of the commissioning, Tinubu was seen shaking hands with Akpabio, Edun, and other dignitaries, but moved past Sanwo-Olu, who bowed to greet him.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu appealed to Nigerians to be patient with his government amid economic hardship. The president highlighted efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and reduce drug manufacturing costs.
“It is all about the people. We are giving all incentives to everyone to abide by the principles of Nigeria First,” he said.
“I know expectations are still very high, and our people are going through difficult times, but hope is here and it is realisable,” he said. He pointed to signs of recovery, including falling inflation, stabilised exchange rates, and reduction in corruption and subsidy-related abuses.
“This is your opportunity. It is your children who must go through higher education. We are paying for all of that,” Tinubu said.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu acknowledged the controversies surrounding the project’s route and the difficult decisions that came with it. He expressed pride in the project and acknowledged the vital role of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, for his unwavering commitment.
He urged continued focus on local content, emphasising the importance of training Nigerian engineers to ensure sustainable skills development within the ministry and beyond.
He commended Hitech Construction Company for their role in executing the project, which uses continuously reinforced concrete pavement to guarantee long-term durability, designed to last beyond a lifetime.
In his remarks, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, stated that the Federal Government did not destroy any property belonging to Landmark Africa during the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The minister announced that the President has ordered the governors where major Federal Government projects pass through their states to give a minimum of 500 metres from the edge of the carriageway, which will be part of the tolling arrangement. He said that by law, the Federal Government is not supposed to pay compensation for shanties along the road, but the President directed that compensation should be paid.
Umahi disclosed that N18 billion has been paid in compensation for Phase 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
THE GUARDIAN
