By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Messrs Hitech Africa Limited and Infiouest International Limited for the execution of major legacy highway projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope infrastructure agenda.
The agreements, signed through the Federal Ministry of Works at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, cover key sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway, and the dualisation of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road.
According to an official signed statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mohammed A. Ahmed, the signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, the Permanent Secretary, directors of the ministry, and representatives of the contracting firms led by their managing directors.
Speaking during the event, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, described the agreements as another milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to transform Nigeria’s infrastructure sector and deepen national economic integration.
He said the projects, which initially faced scepticism and criticism, had now become visible symbols of development and economic transformation.
“These projects are not just road projects; they are investments that will stimulate economic growth, improve connectivity, and enhance national development and integration,” Umahi stated.
The Minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for translating campaign promises into tangible infrastructure projects across the country and appealed to the people of the South-East and Southern Nigeria to support the President’s 2027 re-election bid in appreciation of the administration’s developmental strides.
Umahi also praised the contractors handling the projects for their professionalism and commitment to engineering standards and timelines, noting that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway had evolved from a heavily criticised initiative into what he described as “a beauty to behold and an economic catalyst for Nigeria.”
Providing details on the projects, the Minister disclosed that Section II of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway stretches from the Ebonyi State border through Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, while Section IV of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway traverses Oyo State. He added that Section V of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway passes through Akwa Ibom State, with ongoing construction activities also progressing steadily in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
Umahi explained that the Akwa Ibom axis of the Coastal Highway presents significant engineering challenges due to its swampy terrain, with more than 70 per cent of the alignment located on deep swamp soil requiring extensive excavation, reinforcement, and filling works.
“This is not an ordinary road project. It is an investment that will last for 100 years with minimal maintenance,” he said.
The Minister further stated that despite the sophisticated engineering requirements, the cost per kilometre of the standard dual carriageway remained competitive. He added that the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway demonstrates the administration’s commitment to equitable infrastructure distribution across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
On project financing, Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government would provide 30 per cent counterpart funding, while the balance would be sourced through structured financing arrangements. He also revealed that the roads would eventually be tolled upon completion to ensure sustainability and return on investment.
Managing Director of Hitech Africa Limited, Mr. Dany Abboud, assured the Federal Government of the company’s readiness to complete the projects within, or ahead of, the 36-month delivery timeline.
“Hightech remains fully committed to delivering these projects to international standards, even better than what has already been achieved on Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,” he said.
He also expressed optimism ahead of the commissioning of the completed first section of the Coastal Highway in Lagos State, reaffirming the company’s commitment to quality and timely execution.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, described the projects as clear evidence of President Tinubu’s determination to transform Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape and commended Senator Umahi for repositioning the nation’s road sector.
The agreements signed include the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway Section II, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway Section IV in Oyo State, Section V of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Akwa Ibom State, and Section II of the dualisation of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road covering the Gombe-Biu axis.
Also speaking, the Director of Highways, Bridges and Design, Engr. Musa Sa’idu, said the projects form part of the Federal Government’s strategic infrastructure development programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He disclosed that the agreements cover approximately 82.8 kilometres of dual carriageway on the new alignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Akwa Ibom State, about 180 kilometres on Section IV of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and roughly 125 kilometres on the Biu-Gombe section of the Akwanga-Maiduguri corridor.
