The Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, on Thursday officially handed over the Lagos-Calabar Highway Coastal Road project site to Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited.
Umahi made the formal transfer when he visited the construction site to inspect the progress of work done.
He said that the project was expected to be completed within 36 months, with Sections two and three running concurrently.
Recall that the Federal Executive Council on Feb. 26 approved construction of Lagos-Port Harcourt-Calabar Coastal Superhighway to Messrs Hitech Construction Africa.
It had said then that the first phase, made up of 47 kms, would begin in Lagos.
Umahi, speaking on Thursday, emphasised the importance of on-time project completion and warned that no additional payments would be made for delays.
He said, “Let me also say that today is March 7, and I am officially handing over the site to Hitech Construction Company of Nigeria Limited.
“So, every time table for the job starts running from today. And we’ve already said as a policy of Ministry of Works that we will not pay variation for any delayed projects.
“Well, we have to say that for the sake of saying that because Hitech is noted for performance and for beating time.
”The time for this section one is 36 months, it is going to run concurrent with section two and section three. But right now, I am handing over section one to Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited for them to start work. We’ve been to this corridor before but, today is to hand over the site.”
Umahi also handed over the site to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to ensure environmental compliance, adding that the two companies would work closely together.
He commended the Lagos State Government for making a section of the gazetted route free for the project, saying this demonstrated government’s support for its completion.
The minister directed that the realignment done from Kilometre 16, which had been approved by President Bola Tinubu, should be followed.
He advised Hitech to immediately begin work on the designated right of way, stating that their swift progress had been evident in the 1.3 kilometer of completed dredging since the project’s award.
This, the minister said, indicated the company’s commitment to a speedy completion.
