The proposed Abuja-Lagos Super highway will be completed in four years, the Federal Government has assured.
The Daily Crucible had earlier reported that the Federal Government was mulling plans to build a Super Highway linking Lagos to Abuja to allow for four hours journey by road from the former Federal Capital to the FCT.
The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, first disclosed this when Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State received him in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on August 31st while on a tour of federal roads in Ogun State and other Southwest States of the country along with officials of the ministry.
He did explain that the project would be funded through Public Private Partnership (PPP) and expressed the optimism that in the next two months, work would start on the project to further interconnect states to the federal capital when completed.
“Let me announce to you that the Lagos proposed 4th Mainland Bridge is going to tear off with our proposed Super Highway which will take off along Epe. Majority of it is going to be in Ogun State and it will take us four hours from Lagos to Abuja. We had presentation on that yesterday. It’s going to be on PPP. We are concluding on that. Within the next two months, work will start on that project and that will further interconnect states to the federal capital,” he said.
Addressing the press on Saturday, September 23, Minister of Works David Umahi assured that the road would be ready in four years – 2027.
He reiterated that travelling from Lagos to Abuja will take four hours on the new highway.
He added that the federal government would only be in charge of supervision.
Umahi noted that the live-shelf design of the project will be 100 years, adding that it would also include a number of bridges and tolling points.
“When I first introduced this to the public, many doubting Thomases were saying ‘it is impossible, Lagos-Abuja that is done in 14 hours cannot be done in four and half hours’, that is the renewed hope of Mr President.
“The president has approved that I fast-track this project. This project is going to be two lanes, but each lane is going to be a two-carriage way and it is going to be 14 metres.
“The only carriageway that is equivalent to this is the third mainland bridge where each carriageway is 14 metres. It is going to be built on 275-millimeter thick concrete.
“We are not putting any kobo but we will assist them in every direction. I give kudos to Advance Engineering Company, I am very satisfied with their concept and what they have put in place.
“So, the next thing is to bring the business proposal so we can negotiate on what the cost of the project is going to be. Then they go to the ministry of finance and negotiate on the issue of their money,” he said.