Despite the fanfare that accompanied the recent commissioning of a 30-kilometre section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has clarified that the road is not yet open to motorists — and will not be, until critical segments are fully completed.

The Minister made this known on Friday during a press conference following his inspection tour of major federal projects across the South-West.

He said, “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. But when people are saying things correctly you have to explain and explain. We owe it to the public.”

According to Umahi, while 30km of the 47.47km stretch under current construction have been completed, the remaining 17.47km is still under active development and must be connected before full access can be granted.

The minister emphasised that even when the road is completed, it will not function as a township road. He clarified that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is designed as a high-speed expressway, and uncontrolled access could undermine its purpose and safety.

Umahi explained that residents in surrounding estates or urban sections will eventually be able to use the highway — but only through designated interchanges. The road is ultimately intended for uninterrupted long-distance travel, not local commuting.

He said, “This 47.47 km, we completed the first 20 km at the beginning to 20 km and then we completed the other one at 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. But when we have joined it, if you are traveling from Ahmadu Bello way to Lekki free zone, then you can use the coastal highway. But if you are coming from the urban sections from these estates, you can use it, but you can use it through the interchange.

“When you are at the express, it’s express, Umahi 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. Neither you, nor me can pass there. People will be coming, people will be going and there will be head-on collision and it will be defeated. So the idea is that if you put your throttle at Ahmadu Bello, then you see yourself at Calabar. That is the idea.”

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a flagship infrastructure project of the Tinubu administration and is envisioned to span over 700 kilometres, connecting coastal states and enhancing economic access across southern Nigeria.

Melissa Enoch

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