MINISTER of Works, Dave Umahi, has revealed that a massive refuse dump, over 50 years old and more than 10 metres deep, caused a four-month delay in the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
News Point Nigeria reports that speaking during an inspection of the project in Lagos on Monday, Umahi explained that the dump, which spanned nearly two kilometres, posed an unforeseen obstacle to the progress of the multibillion-naira project.
“We also encountered a refuse dump that had been over 50 years old and had over 10 metres depth and spanned two kilometres,” Umahi said. “When we encountered it, we had to stop the work for more than four months.”
The minister further disclosed that the project initially faced challenges at kilometre zero, where the alignment cut through Landmark Beach and surrounding properties.
He explained that, to avoid demolishing the popular beach resort, the Ministry of Works altered the design of the six-lane highway, splitting it into three lanes on each side.
“Contrary to public perception, Landmark Beach was not demolished only the shanties around it were cleared,” he stressed.
Umahi revealed that about ₦15 billion has already been spent to resolve unforeseen technical and environmental challenges on the highway.
“I have directed that all the videos and drawings must be exposed because additional works are involved, and I want those documentaries to be intact,” the minister said.
On his part, Dany Abboud, Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company Ltd., the project’s contractor, explained that the highway lanes were separated at kilometre 2.7 to avoid demolition and later rejoined at kilometre 5.
Abboud added that the most extensive refuse deposits were discovered between kilometres 3 and 9, particularly at kilometres 4 and 9. “We had to excavate to a very big depth and replace it with sand,” he noted.
