The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has voiced his strong confidence in China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) regarding the timely completion of the 7th Axial Road project within the Lekki Corridor of Lagos. During an inspection of the site over the weekend, the Minister noted that the contractor’s track record, particularly with the successful delivery of the Lekki Deepwater Port and the ongoing work on the Makurdi-Enugu Road, serves as a solid guarantee of their capability.
The 7th Axial Road is a vital piece of infrastructure located directly behind the Dangote Refinery. Once completed, it will serve as a primary cargo handling route for the Lekki Deepwater Port, effectively linking the bustling Lekki Corridor with the Sagamu route. This highway is designed to work in tandem with other major projects like the Coastal Road and the Dangote Road to create a massive transportation hub that will significantly boost Nigeria’s port economy.
During the visit, Senator Umahi issued a clear ultimatum to the construction team. He directed that the roadbed filling work for the first phase of the project must be fully completed by the end of April. To hit this target, the Minister instructed the team to immediately increase their resource input and accelerate physical works on the ground. He made it clear that while speed is essential, the project must not come at the expense of the local environment, urging protection agencies to monitor the site closely.
Responding to the Minister’s directives, a representative from CHEC assured that the company is fully committed to the timeline. The firm pledged to maintain high levels of manpower and equipment on-site while strictly adhering to safety and quality standards. By coordinating these efforts with environmental protection measures, the contractor aims to deliver a world-class road that meets the government’s high expectations.
This road project is seen as a game-changer for the industrial corridor, as it provides the necessary logistics support for the massive investments currently situated in the Lekki Free Trade Zone. As the April deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the construction site to see if the accelerated work pace will meet the Minister’s ambitious schedule.
