By Peace Udugba
In line with his pledge to monitor performance on federal road projects across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, visited Sections I & II of the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos State on 29 September 2025.
Accompanying him were Segun Sowunmi (public affairs analyst and spokesperson to the 2019 Atiku presidential campaign), the Surveyor‑General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adebomehin, Director of Highway Bridges & Design, Engr. Musa Saidu, the Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Kesha, and representatives of civil society groups. The minister said the visit was intended to allow stakeholders to assess the quality and progress of the work, and to provide transparency on whether these projects are sound investments for Nigeria’s future.
He also conducted a re‑evaluation of additional work claims submitted by Hitech Construction Company Ltd, based on reports from the Ministry’s Department of Roads and Bridges.
During the inspection, the minister highly commended Hitech Construction for its commitment to national development, urging PENGASSAN to put the nation first and to allow wisdom to prevail in its dispute with the Dangote Group.
He also denounced a false claim by Winhome CEO Stella Okengwu, of a supposed250 million investment in land along the Coastal Highway, labeling it a scam. Several civil society groups that had hitherto supported her publicly distanced themselves and called her claims unsubstantiated.
The visit underscores the ministry’s resolve to ensure accountability, integrity, and progress in major national infrastructure projects.
3. The Honourable Minister highly commended the pace and quality of work executed by Hitech Construction Company Ltd, attributing the success of the project and the resolution of technical challenges in some sections to the contractor’s excellence and extraordinary commitment to national development.
He revealed that Hitech is set to construct Nigeria’s biggest flyovers at the connecting point between Sections I & II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to address traffic conflicts and ensure smooth transit. The Minister cautioned the public against being misled by content creators who, either out of ignorance or mischief, claimed that unprotected shoulders on certain parts of the project equated to construction failure.
In a separate development, the Minister appealed to the leadership of PENGASSAN to put national interest above all else and reconsider their planned strike action over their dispute with the Dangote Group, He urged them to allow divine wisdom to guide their decisions, stressing that such industrial action could negatively affect Nigeria’s gradually recovering economy.
4. Addressing the false claims made by Stella Okengwu, who claims to be CEO of Winhome, the Honourable Minister challenged her to present proof of any investment or development on the land she claims to have purchased for N50 million in 2022,
He stated that the Lagos State Government had revoked the said land to make way for the federal highway project and that the only visible structure on the land was a rickety gate. Umahi noted that the Federal Government had already offered monetary compensation and urged the self-proclaimed diaspora investor to declare how the alleged US$250 million was invested or submit herself for investigation by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies.
The civil society groups, which had earlier supported her claims and protested on her behalf, have now withdrawn their support, describing her allegations as baseless and misleading
5.Speaking after the inspection, Segun Sowunmi, spokesperson for the 2019 Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, described the work done by
Hitech Construction Company Ltd as a masterpiece, commending the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in initiating the Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects. He called it a strategic roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s economic landscape.
He urged Nigerians to rise above political affiliations and support any government initiative that guarantees a better future for the people. “Mr. President is building consensus around national development. As an opposition figure, I’m ready to engage and speak for Nigerians,” he said.
He added that one major takeaway is that a country at 65 years should be in a hurry to develop critical infrastructure like other advanced nations.
Others who gave technical insights into the project’s methodology included:
Mr. Dany Abboud, Managing Director, Hitech Construction Company Ltd,
Engr. Musa Saidu, Director of Highway Bridges and Design, and
Engr. Kesha, Federal Controller of Works.
