FG Says Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Can Withstand Floods for 50 Years

By Achimi Muktar

In an era where climate change is causing extreme weather around the globe, the Federal Government is taking bold steps to future-proof Nigeria’s most ambitious road project yet — the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

At a high-level stakeholder engagement in Lagos on Sunday, the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, revealed that the ongoing construction of the highway is designed to endure severe flooding for the next 50 years.

“We will make sure that our pavement level is going to counter any climate change,” Umahi confidently declared, explaining that the road will be raised to the first-floor level of surrounding buildings to guard against rising waters.

This is no ordinary road. Beyond its elevated pavement, the highway will feature cutting-edge infrastructure including retaining boards for support, pre-installed cable ducts to prevent future road cutting by telecom companies like MTN and African Plus, and a full network of CCTV cameras to ensure rapid emergency response — under five minutes, according to the minister.

And that’s not all.

The road will include an evacuation corridor, allowing swift movement in times of emergency, and will earn the country carbon credits thanks to its use of eco-friendly concrete pavement, which emits no carbon.

Aesthetically, drivers will enjoy a scenic journey lined with trees, while major engineering feats such as a 60-metre span flyover soaring above the Dangote Refinery and a planned seven-axial road will elevate the highway into a tourist attraction of its own.

But the project isn’t just about transportation — it’s about lifestyle. Umahi announced that relief centres will be strategically placed along the corridor, offering travelers places to fuel up, grab a snack, or seek medical attention. Supermarkets and other amenities will also be part of the mix, turning the route into more than just a road — it will be a living ecosystem of commerce and comfort.

“Some people are here today not because they are owed money but because of the love they have for this development,” Umahi said, commending the community support for the project.

He also gave a special nod to Hitech Construction Company, the contractors on the project, lauding their excellence and adherence to timelines.

If everything goes according to plan, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway won’t just be another road — it will be a marvel of modern engineering, built to stand the test of time and tide.