Minister of Works Dave Umahi has described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as the biggest infrastructure gift of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying even critics of the project would acknowledge its impact.

Umahi made the statement on Monday during the flag-off of the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road at the Open Field of Legacy Estate, along the Idi Ayunre axis.

The minister said residents of Lagos were already benefiting from improved travel times, claiming that journeys between Epe and Lagos, which previously took several hours, had been reduced significantly.

“Some people say the Lagos-Calabar Highway leads to nowhere, but go and ask people in Lagos, even enemies will testify that this is the best gift of this administration,” Umahi said.

He added that the route from Victoria Island through Epe to the Lekki Seaport could now be completed in about 15 minutes, describing the development as a major transformation.

The minister also defended the procurement process for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, dismissing allegations that the project did not follow due process.

According to Umahi, the contractor was selected through special procurement because of its experience and previous achievements in handling major engineering projects.

He explained that procurement laws allow different methods, including special procurement, restrictive procurement and open advertisement, depending on the circumstances.

Umahi further stated that the Tinubu administration was not neglecting existing roads while developing new infrastructure projects.

“There is no existing road that we are not working on,” he said, adding that many of the government’s major projects were focused on improving previously neglected routes.

President Tinubu was represented by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun at the flag-off of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road dualisation project, a key corridor connecting communities in Oyo and Ogun states.

The route plays an important role in transporting people, agricultural products, goods and services across the South-West region.