Umahi Hails Progress on Sokoto-Badagry Highway, Defends Tinubu’s Infrastructure Drive

Bennett Oghifo

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has commended the pace and quality of work on the ongoing Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project, describing it as evidence of the federal government’s determination to transform Nigeria’s road infrastructure under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking during an inspection of Section Three of the highway project in Ogun State, Umahi said the consistency in the quality of work being executed across different parts of the country reflected the high standards being maintained by the contractor, High-Tech Construction Company.

According to him, the same level of quality could be seen on projects in Sokoto, Kebbi, Lagos, Calabar, Akwa Ibom, Ondo and other states, adding that Nigerians should appreciate the scale of infrastructure renewal currently underway.

“The beautiful job that High-Tech is doing has now become the standard everywhere. Whether you go to Sokoto, Kebbi, Lagos, Calabar, Akwa Ibom or Badagry, you see the same quality of work,” Umahi said.

He urged Nigerians not to lose sight of the state of the nation’s road infrastructure before the current administration assumed office, stressing that the Tinubu administration had placed priority on addressing longstanding infrastructure deficits.

The minister also praised the President’s commitment to completing major road projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, saying they would significantly improve connectivity and economic development across the country.

Umahi dismissed criticisms surrounding some of the ongoing projects, particularly claims that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was responsible for flooding in parts of Lagos.

According to him, such allegations ignored existing drainage regulations and failed to consider the engineering designs incorporated into the project.

He noted that Lagos State laws prohibit direct drainage discharge into the Atlantic Ocean, insisting that attributing flooding to the coastal highway was not supported by engineering facts.

The minister also reaffirmed his resolve to strengthen oversight within the Ministry of Works by ensuring that contractors who fail to deliver quality jobs or divert public funds are held accountable.

He expressed confidence that with continued support from the National Assembly and other stakeholders, the ministry would sustain the current momentum in road construction.

Providing an update on the project, the Engineer’s Representative, Engr. Oyewande Aliu, disclosed that construction of Section Three commenced in November 2025 and spans 162.352 kilometres from the Lagos boundary through Ogun State to the Oyo State border.

Aliu explained that the project had recorded substantial progress despite engineering challenges associated with bridges, interchanges and culvert crossings.

He said about 25 kilometres of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) had been completed on the left carriageway, while approximately 9.4 kilometres had been completed on the right carriageway.

According to him, earthworks have reached about 81 kilometres, while vegetation clearing has been completed on approximately 145 kilometres of the alignment, with work continuing on the remaining sections.

Also speaking during the inspection, member of the House of Representatives, Moremi Ojudu, described quality road infrastructure as essential to economic growth and national development.

She said improved highways would stimulate commerce, encourage the growth of small businesses and enhance access to healthcare and other social services.

Ojudu urged Nigerians, particularly those in the South-West, to support the ongoing infrastructure initiatives of the federal government, expressing optimism that Nigeria would possess one of the best road networks in Sub-Saharan Africa before the end of the current administration’s tenure.

Managing Director of High-Tech Construction Company, Engr. Danny Abboud, assured the federal government that the contractor remained committed to delivering the project ahead of schedule and in accordance with international standards.

He said construction activities were currently ongoing simultaneously in more than eight locations along the corridor.

Abboud explained that although the terrain presented significant engineering challenges, including hills, valleys and deep depressions requiring extensive filling works, the company had continued to make steady progress.

He added that discussions were still ongoing with the Ministry of Works and project engineers on the final number of culverts required for some sections.

The High-Tech chief expressed confidence that the company would complete the 162.352-kilometre section within, or ahead of, the 36-month contract period while maintaining the quality standards expected by the federal government.