The President made the remarks while inaugurating the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and several major road projects on Saturday in Lagos, Mr Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, said in a statement.
President Tinubu directed Mr David Umahi, Minister of Works, and other ministers overseeing projects across the country, to ensure full compliance with the laws on local content, training of Nigerians and technology transfer.
The President acknowledged Mr Ronald Chagoury’s role in halting the advance of the Atlantic Ocean and salvaging Victoria Island and Ikoyi, urging more support for the future in “doing the impossible” in building Nigeria’s infrastructure.
“I said that we would do it, and we did. We averted a disaster greater than a tsunami in Victoria Island and Ikoyi,” he added.
The President appealed to Nigerians to be more patient with the government.
“I want to appeal to all Nigerians that hope is here. Our economy is recovering,” he said, highlighting the stability of the foreign exchange and reduction in food prices.
President Tinubu thanked the minister of works, contractors, and Nigerians, particularly those in Lagos state for supporting the projects and urged them to protect and maintain them for posterity.
“It is with great pleasure, pride and a sense of fulfilment that I stand here today to commission the completed part of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway Corridor.
“This is Phase I: Section I: Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village Area in the Lekki Peninsula, a section of the 700km iconic project spanning the coastal areas of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River.
“I congratulate Messrs. Hitech Construction Company Ltd. for taking this job and showing that Nigerian firms can perform to world standards and achieve excellence in infrastructure development.
“It is most pleasing to note that the highway was constructed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement instead of Flexible Pavement, thereby assuring durability,” the President stated.
The projects inaugurated by the President in the South-South region were the rehabilitation of Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road Section II (Ugep-Katsina-Ala) in Benue/Cross Rivers and dualisation of East-West Road Section II (Sub Section I) Eleme Junction in Port Harcourt – Ahoada in Rivers.
They included rehabilitation of Alesi-Ugep (Iyamoyung-Ugep) Section in Cross River and upgrading of 15km Section of the East-West Road, Port Harcourt (Eleme Junction)-Onne Port Junction in Rivers.
President Tinubu inaugurated the rehabilitated Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Section III, Enugu-Lokpanta, in the South East Zone, a new bridge at Akpoha in Ebonyi, to replace the near-collapsed bridge; reconstruction of the collapsed Enugu Bridge at New Artisan Market Enugu-Port Harcourt Road in Enugu state.
Other projects inaugurated in the South West Zone were: Rehabilitation, Construction & Expansion of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway Section II in Oyo State and rehabilitation of Ikorodu-Shagamu Road in Lagos state.
They also included the emergency comprehensive repair of the Eko Bridge (4.1km) in Lagos state (from Alaka, Surulere-Apongbon including all Ramps) and the construction of Deep-Sea Port Access Road in Lagos state through Epe to Shagamu – Benin Expressway in Lagos and Ogun.
In the North central zone, President Tinubu inaugurated the construction of the Shendam Bridge in Plateau and the Ilobu-Enrile road in Kwara and Osun.
In the North east zone, he inaugurated the Jimeta Bridge in Yola, Adamawa.
In the North west zone, he inaugurated the reconstructed Yakasai Badume-Damargu-Marken Zalli Roads in Kano state and reconstruction of Kano-Kwanar Danja Hadeja Section II: Kano-Tsalle in Kano and Jigawa.
President Tinubu flagged off the following new projects: Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha-Akure-Benin Road in Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Edo; construction of Nembe-Brass Road; construction of a section of Enugu-Onitsha Carriageway (total length of 107km); and rehabilitation of Zaria-Hunkuyi-Kufur-Gidan Mutum Daya Road in Kaduna/Kano states.
Also, the President flagged off the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri Road, linking Kano-Jigawa-Bauchi-Yobe and Borno states (Section I: Kano-Wudil-Shuarin), which had a Total length of 105km; the construction of Kano Northern Bypass Road in Kano state; and construction of Maiduguri Bypass Road.
Senator Godswill Akapbio, President of the Senate, assured the President of more support from the National Assembly to reposition the country’s economy.
The minister of works noted that the Federal Government spent N18 billion compensating all those affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
Umahi said the President directed that all projects must consider the well-being of Nigerians and issues of sustainability.
Governors of Lagos, Delta, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa, Borno, Ekiti, Kogi, Ondo, Cross River, and Imo attended the event.
