The Federal Government has directed television stations to provide weekly coverage of the ongoing Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the move is aimed at ensuring transparency and keeping Nigerians informed about the progress of the project.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, issued the directive during an inspection tour of the highway and bridges in Lagos. He said two TV stations would be taken to the project site each week to showcase sections under construction.
According to the minister, the project has attracted public scrutiny and allegations of irregularities, making it necessary for Nigerians to see first-hand the scope of work and challenges involved.
“People need to know what is happening here. It takes courage for the contractor, the ministry, and Mr President who approved this project. When the road is completed, Nigerians may not understand the effort that went into it, so we must showcase it,” Umahi said.
He explained that parts of the road required deep excavation of poor materials—between five and 20 metres—before being refilled with stone lumps and sand to guarantee durability. He praised Hitech Construction Company, the contractor handling the project, for what he described as its capacity, commitment, and quality of work.
The minister further directed project managers and engineers to keep detailed records of every construction stage, including ground excavation, refilling, and pavement levels. These documents, he said, must be made available to oversight agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC, and the National Assembly by the end of September.
Umahi assured that the ministry would continue to approve payments promptly for verified work done on site.
The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is a 700-kilometre project awarded to Hitech Construction Company under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) arrangement. Work began in March 2024 and is expected to end during President Bola Tinubu’s possible second tenure in office.