N15trn Lagos-Calabar Road Best Deal for Nigeria — Umahi

The 700km long superhighway from Lagos to Calabar would gulp about N15 trillion at completion, excluding the rail project within the corridor, the Miniser of Works, David Umahi, has said.

Umahi, who said this estimated cost is the best deal on this stretch of road, said the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway (LCCH) would last longer and offer durable services to road users.

He said the cost was reflective of present economic reality and very competitive after series of debate by himself and ministry’s directors.

According to him, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) design for the road was for two 4 lanes while the federal ministry of works widened the lanes to ten.

In spite of this, he said the concrete paved road remained the best for the road at the cost of about N15 trillion.

Umahi, who appeared on Channels Morning Brief and Arise Morning Show television morning brief, said at N4billion per kilometer of the road, Nigeria has got a good deal especially as the road has been insulated from unprofessional cut through with the ducts provided on the corridor.

He argued that the query raised by the former Vice President that the road construction was high, was without basis as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) design for the road was for 4 lanes while it has redesigned the road for ten lanes.

According to Umahi, the road cost could be recovered in 15 years through tolling which was speculated to generate about N75m daily at the cost of N1500 conservatively where 50,000 vehicles drive through the toll gate.

Umahi is upbeat that with N3bn plus or minus figure monthly, the cost of the superstructure would be realized within the time frame of 15 years while Nigerians enjoy value for money on the important infrastructure to drive the economy.

Besides that fact that the road has been expanded to have 10 lanes, it also boasts of 52 corridors and have a 25km train tracks which he noted would cost about N14tr separately, the minister stated in his interview.