President Bola Tinubu
In a major development for infrastructure in Nigeria’s South-South region, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the inclusion of a 100-kilometre stretch of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to pass through Edo State — a region previously omitted from the original design.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during the Edo Independence Day Gala Night at the State Villa in Benin City.
According to a statement from his media adviser, Mr. Orji Uchenna Orji, the move reflects Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that all key southern states benefit from the landmark highway project.
“The president called me and said this project must pass through Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. That is why we are here,” Umahi revealed.
He went on to assure Edo State: “Your Excellency, the president has given you 100km of the two lanes of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.”
Senator Umahi applauded the Edo people and leadership for their support of the Tinubu administration.
He also praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for taking proactive steps to rehabilitate failing portions of the Benin-Sapele-Warri highway — a critical route he bluntly described as a “deathtrap for motorists.”
The minister also commended the contractor, CBC, for the quality of ongoing work and directed the Federal Controller of Works in Edo to provide daily reports from the construction site.
In his remarks, Governor Okpebholo expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for bringing Edo into the fold of the transformative project and for addressing other federal road challenges in the state.
He described the president’s gesture as “proof of Tinubu’s love for the people of Edo.”
Reflecting on his recent inspection of the dilapidated Benin-Sapele-Warri road, Okpebholo underscored the urgency of collaboration between state and federal authorities:
> “If I do my part and you do your part, no one will criticise our president. For us to earn more votes, we need to do something about this place, whether it’s the Federal Government or Edo Government,” the governor said.
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s focus on infrastructure renewal and urged Edo residents to rally behind President Tinubu’s vision, especially ahead of the 2027 elections.
