# Tags

LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY NOT YET OPEN TO MOTORISTS, SAYS UMAHI

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has clarified that the recently inaugurated 30-kilometer stretch of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is not yet open to motorists. According to Umahi, the road will not be accessible to the public until critical segments are fully completed. Umahi explained that while 30km of the 47.47km stretch under current construction has been completed, the remaining 17.47km is still under active development and must be connected before full access can be granted. He emphasized that even when the road is completed, it will not function as a township road, but rather as a high-speed expressway designed for uninterrupted long-distance travel. “It’s not going to be open to motorists and Mr. President said I should not listen to what people are saying when they’re not saying things correctly,” Umahi said. “We completed the first 20 km at the beginning and then we completed the other 10 km. Now there is a section that is not completed. 47.47 minus 30, you still have 17.47 and that’s what we are working to join.” Umahi highlighted the importance of controlled access points, stating that residents in surrounding estates or urban sections will eventually be able to use the highway through designated interchanges. “When you are at the express, it’s express,” he said. “It’s a super highway. So it’s not going to be open to the public the way they think, because if you allow it to become a township road, then you will see what will happen.” The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a flagship infrastructure project of the Tinubu administration, envisioned to span over 700 kilometers, connecting coastal states and enhancing economic access across southern Nigeria. When completed, the highway is expected to boost trade, tourism, and regional integration, opening up new economic opportunities and easing mobility for millions.

INDEPENDENCE BRIDGE IN LAGOS REOPENS TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered the immediate reopening of the Independence Bridge in Lagos to vehicular traffic. This directive comes after the bridge was closed for planned maintenance and rehabilitation works. According to the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, “The Ministry expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the motoring public by the closure and appealed for their understanding and cooperation.” Although the bridge has reopened, the necessary repair works will be carried out at a later time, as clarified by the Federal Ministry of Works. The ministry’s decision to reopen the bridge is likely aimed at easing traffic congestion in the area, while ensuring that the necessary repairs are completed as soon as possible.

NIGERIA GOVERNMENT ORDERS CEMENT MANUFACTURERS TO LOWER PRICES

The Federal Government has directed cement manufacturers to reduce the price of a 50kg bag of cement to N7,000 within seven days or face being reported to President Bola Tinubu. Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, issued the ultimatum, citing the stabilised exchange rate and crashing petrol costs as reasons for the price reduction. Umahi explained that with the exchange rate now at N1,400 to a dollar, there is no justification for the high price of cement. He noted that when the exchange rate was N2,000 to a dollar, cement manufacturers raised the price to N7,500, questioning why the product is still selling at N9,500 per 50kg bag. The minister’s directive comes as contractors have complained about the high cost of cement, which has led them to consider reverting to asphalt in road construction. Umahi stressed that the government plans to fix major roads in the country, making it essential for cement prices to be reduced. Meanwhile, a new cement firm, Huaxin Cement Company, is set to enter the Nigerian market. The Chinese firm has valued 100% of Lafarge Africa’s shareholding at $1.6 billion and plans to acquire Holcim’s 83% stake in the company for $838.8 million. The acquisition is part of Huaxin’s overseas expansion plan, which focuses on leveraging its expertise in industrial technology and production chain integration to drive growth. Lafarge Africa stated that the acquisition aligns with Huaxin’s strategy, and the valuation assumes cement prices in Nigeria will range from $100 to $150 per tonne, based on Lafarge’s annual production capacity of 10.6 million tonnes.