Like most of African countries, Nigeria is on the verge of a transformative era. Ambitious infrastructure projects are being built throughout out the country to reshape its economic future. One such project is the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a 700 km highway which will connect the capital city Lagos to Calabar, the former colonial capital. The project is projected to cost $12 billion. The contractor, Hitech Construction Company Ltd will fund much of the project with the government coming in to fund the remaining 30%.
Construction of the dual carriageway highways project began in 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in 8 years.
The project is believed to produce several benefits. These include; improving connectivity and reducing travel time between the southern states, providing access to untapped markets. This partly possible due to its five lanes on each side and a planned railway line intended to run in median of the highway, however this may be a challenge due to insufficient space. It will foster national unity by connecting major economic hubs and facilitating trade and tourism along the coast.
The project is not devoid of criticisms and concerns. For example, some factions of the population believe the highway will have a negative impact on biodiversity and communities along the route. There are currently potential environmental and social impact assessments being undertaken.
Some criticize the project’s cost and potential disruption to existing communities.
- Subscribe to Our Newsletter: Stay updated with the latest insights, tips, and innovations in civil engineering.
- Check Out These Must-Read Resources:
- A comprehensive book on civil engineering to enhance your understanding of structural design and construction techniques.
- A captivating book about the lives of great civil engineers, showcasing the pioneers who shaped the modern world.
- A practical project inspection checklist—an essential tool for every engineer involved in site supervision and quality control.
- Dive into the genius of the Renaissance with our recommended book about Leonardo da Vinci, exploring his contributions to engineering and architecture.
- Don’t miss our field notebook and journal, designed specifically for civil engineers and architects to document projects, ideas, and on-site observations
No responses yet