June 06, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has called on state governors to collaborate with the Federal Government before granting building and planning approvals, saying such alignment is critical to the nation’s infrastructure development.
Speaking on Thursday at the commissioning of the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road at the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant in Lagos, the President assured Nigerians that more funds would be dedicated to infrastructure nationwide.
Tinubu said his administration is determined to build roads, bridges, and other public assets that stand the test of time, adding that such projects can only progress efficiently when state and federal authorities work hand in hand.
Tinubu stated, “I have directed the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Surveyor General of the Federation to work more closely with state governors.
“Please, my dear governors, let us work together. Don’t give planning approvals without first collaborating with the Surveyor General and the Ministry of Works. I’m appealing to you to realise we share the same development goal.”
The President also reinforced the Federal Government’s ban on dredging within a 10-kilometre radius of bridges nationwide, urging governors, agencies, and security operatives to ensure full enforcement.
The event comes just days after Tinubu commissioned Phase 1 of Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Works, contractors including Hitech Construction Company, Dangote Industries, BUA Group, and others for their contributions to road development.
Addressing criticism surrounding the scope of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Tinubu clarified that the project is being executed in sections.
“It is important to clarify that the Federal Executive Council approved our Legacy Projects to be procured, awarded, and constructed in phases. The 30-kilometre segment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway completed so far is part of the 47.7km, six-lane Section I contract — not a blanket 750km contract as falsely claimed,” he said.
Tinubu described the government’s approach to the coastal highway and other legacy projects as “systematic, transparent, and section-based.”
He also gave updates on other key infrastructure projects. On the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, which was initiated over four decades ago under President Shehu Shagari and is now being revived, Tinubu said over 10 kilometres have been completed in Kebbi while the second carriageway was flagged off. In Sokoto, work has already commenced on the 120-kilometre stretch, with over 10 kilometres completed and the second carriageway now underway.
The President noted that Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has also recorded over 10 kilometres of progress out of the planned 55 kilometres. He added that construction works are ongoing in the Cross River and Akwa Ibom sections, and he has directed that more segments be designed and procured.
On the Trans-Sahara Trade Route, he said the project is advancing steadily and will connect Calabar to Abuja through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa States. He also announced that accelerated design work has begun on the fourth Legacy Project — the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe corridor — to enable the procurement process to commence.
“With God on our side, we will complete these projects and deploy them for the economic benefit of our nation,” the President assured.
Among other commissioned projects were the Yakasai to Zalli Road in Kano State (handled by CCECC), the Shendam Bridge in Plateau State (Triacta), the Kwanar-Hadejia Section II (82km) in Kano/Jigawa States (CCECC), Jimeta Bridge in Adamawa State (Triacta), the Ilobu-Erinle Road across Kwara and Osun States (IAC), and the Cham-Numan Bridge in Adamawa State (CGC).
Projects flagged off for construction included Section I Phase 1B of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway in Sokoto State (120km), Section II Phase 2B of the same highway in Kebbi State (258km), Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from Lagos to Ogun State Border (55km), the rehabilitation of the Zaria–Hunkuyi–Daya Road in Kaduna/Kano States (152.67km), and the reconstruction of the Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road in Borno State (49.55km).
Other major projects flagged off included the dualisation of the Kano–Maiduguri Road linking Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe, and Borno States (100.95km), the construction of the Maiduguri Ring Road (108km), the Kano Northern Bypass (74km), the construction of the 7th Axial Road from Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos to Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State (25km six-lane), and the completion of the rehabilitation of the Lokoja–Benin Road using rigid pavement.
The President also listed other priority roads, such as the dualisation of the Oyo–Ogbomoso Road (104km), the dualisation of the Kano–Daura–Kongolam corridor across Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States (264km under the BUA Tax Credit), and the reconstruction of the Bama–Banki Road in Borno State (49.15km under the Dangote Tax Credit scheme).
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to key private sector players, describing Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Aliko Dangote as “four wise men” for their continued contributions to Nigeria’s economic development. He also acknowledged the roles played by the Minister of Works, Roland and Gilbert Chagoury, and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.
Governors of Plateau, Abia, Enugu, Ogun, Borno, and Kaduna States were present at the commissioning.
Speaking on behalf of the governors, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, thanked the President for removing the fuel subsidy, which he said has resulted in increased allocations for states, now being invested in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
Aliko Dangote also praised Tinubu for initiating the Lekki Deep Sea Port during his time as Lagos State Governor and pledged continued private sector support for Nigeria’s infrastructure expansion.
“Having inspected the Dangote Refinery — a transformational investment — I must thank Alhaji Aliko Dangote. The Deep Sea Port, which I initiated as Lagos State Governor, is now a reality saving users millions in logistics costs,” Tinubu said.
He also commended the access road constructed by Dangote Industries under the Tax Credit scheme, with Hitech Construction as the subcontractor.
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