The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has announced that construction of Sections 3b and 4 of the Akwa Ibom-Cross River part of the Coastal Highway will start in August this year.
Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Engagement in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital Saturday, June 24, 2024, the Minister explained that these sections, totaling 107 kilometers, will be the fourth-longest segment from Lagos to Cross River.
“President Bola Tinubu has directed that Sections 3 and 4 must start in Cross River and Akwa Ibom,” Umahi said. “That’s why we are here to introduce the routes in Akwa Ibom. The routes have two sections: Section 3b, which is 27 kilometers, and Section 4, which is 80 kilometers. So, Akwa Ibom is benefiting from 107 kilometers.”
Umahi warned contractors against delaying the projects, saying the federal government would terminate contracts and re-award them if necessary. He expressed frustration with construction companies like Julius Berger, China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) for not delivering on their projects despite significant government funding.
“If these companies do not mobilize to the site by next week, their contracts will be terminated,” Umahi stated. He also dismissed their excuses about non-payment of compensation, noting that the Akwa Ibom State government had already settled compensation issues related to the Calabar-Itu road.
The federal government plans to support local contractors to compete with foreign ones and will not tolerate any practices that cause hardship for road users. “President Tinubu has given enough money to fund the projects,” Umahi insisting that “if Julius Berger and CCECC do not mobilize to the site by the end of the week, their jobs will be terminated.”
Umahi highlighted the poor condition of the roads in the South-South region, particularly the Akwa Ibom to Cross River route through Itu and Odukpani, and criticized RCC for failing to deliver despite receiving over N40 billion for the project.
During the meeting, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the state governor, Umo Eno, and all stakeholders to cooperate with the contractors. He thanked President Tinubu for ensuring that the Coastal Highway passes through Akwa Ibom State and for synchronizing its construction with the Lagos section.
Governor Umo Eno confirmed that his government had paid compensation for the Calabar-Itu road and assured that his administration would provide the necessary support, including security and logistics, to complete the road on time.
