The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, is exploring advanced engineering methods to address challenges posed by swampy and unstable terrains along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

During an inspection of the highway, the Independence Bridge, and other major projects, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, and his team were briefed on the difficulties caused by deep pits and soft soils, particularly around kilometre 31.5.

Contractors and ministry officials proposed various mitigation strategies, including sand filling, concrete embankments, stone pitching, and geofabric reinforcement, aimed at ensuring the road’s long-term durability.

Hi-Tech’s Project Manager, Dany Abboud, explained the measures being taken, saying: “We are experiencing some delays with some of the swampy areas.”

We have experienced very high levels of pit and we have some settlements. And we don’t need to give any substandard job to the Federal Government of Nigeria. We are doing all what we can do in order to have extensive designs, extensive studies to minimise this effect.”

Abboud noted that instead of relying on retaining walls, the affected areas would be stabilised with concrete embankments to prevent erosion and discourage illegal mining, which could undermine the road’s integrity.

“Now the height of fill will be protected by concrete embankment to protect it. The embankment will be protected by concrete in order not somebody to come and mine it in the future, because then you will lose the integrity of the road itself,” he said.

State Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukorede Kesha, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to quality. She noted that the team is working in a three-shift system with Hi-Tech, emphasising the importance of allowing the filled swampy areas to consolidate properly to prevent long-term failures.

“Engineering is no magic, you need to watch the behaviour of the field material and then see how it reacts to the pressure applied. Ordinarily, we’re supposed to leave this for a minimum of 18 months. Two rainy sessions must pass over it before we open it to traffic,” she said.

The initial target to deliver the first 40-kilometre section of the road by May 29 has been adjusted to the end of the year, due to the terrain’s complexity and the need for design modifications to protect surrounding properties and utilities.

Alabi expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress and quality. “From the technical point of view to the pace of work, and when I look at the books and see the amount that has been released to Hi-Tech, you are doing more than has been released to you,” he said.

He also highlighted the need for sustained efforts to complete the project, describing it as a “legacy project” of the administration that would boost multiple sectors of the economy.

Alabi assured legislative support for funding, especially for areas not included in the original Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME). “They have proven that the little they have received was used judiciously, so there’s no reason we would not approve. I have the authority of the Honourable Speaker… that whatever they need within reasonable limit, the parliament would approve,” he said.