Tinubu Reaffirms Infrastructure Commitment, Urges Governors to Collaborate on Project Approvals

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday reiterated his administration’s dedication to expanding Nigeria’s infrastructure, promising increased federal spending and calling on state governors to work closely with the Federal Government to harmonize building approvals.

During the commissioning ceremony of the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road at the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant in Lagos, Tinubu said, “I have directed the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Surveyor General of the federation to work more closely with the governors.”

He explained that aligning state and federal approvals would reduce compensation burdens and prevent delays, urging governors to avoid granting planning permissions without consulting federal agencies.

“Please, my dear governors, let’s work together. Don’t give planning approvals without collaboration with the Surveyor General and the Ministry of Works. I am appealing to you to realise the same development goal,” he said.

Tinubu also emphasized the Federal Government’s ban on dredging within 10 kilometers of all bridges, calling for immediate enforcement by governors and security agencies.

This commissioning event followed the President’s recent inauguration of Phase 1 of Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, reflecting ongoing infrastructure momentum.

Tinubu praised the Federal Ministry of Works and contractors like Hitech Construction Company Limited, Dangote Industries Limited, and BUA for their contributions to road development.

Addressing critics, he clarified that legacy projects are being procured and constructed in sections, not awarded as single massive contracts.

“The completed 30 km segment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is part of the 47.7 km, six-lane Section I contract, not a wholesale 750 km contract, as some have suggested. No contractor has been awarded the entire corridor,” he said.

He highlighted the revival of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, a corridor envisioned nearly five decades ago, which connects multiple states and supports agriculture, trade, and industrialization.

Tinubu provided updates on progress in Kebbi and Sokoto states, where significant carriageway sections have been completed and new phases launched.

He also noted ongoing work on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway’s second section and the Trans-Sahara Trade Route, which will link Calabar to Abuja.

Accelerated design work is underway for the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe corridor, with procurement expected to start soon.

Other projects commissioned include roads and bridges in Kano, Plateau, Adamawa, Kwara, Osun, and Adamawa states, while several major road projects were flagged off for construction.

The President thanked private sector leaders Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Aliko Dangote for their economic contributions.

Governors from Plateau, Abia, Enugu, Ogun, Borno, and Kaduna states attended, with Kaduna Governor Sen. Uba Sani expressing gratitude for subsidy removal and pledging state collaboration.

Tinubu praised Dangote’s investments and the Lekki Deep Sea Port’s success, while Dangote pledged private sector support for infrastructure expansion.