Can the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway mend West Africa’s infrastructure gap?

West Africa, a region pulsating with cultural diversity and abundant natural resources, faces a critical hurdle to its socio-economic development: a substantial infrastructure gap. Despite recent progress, inadequate and poorly maintained infrastructure continues to impede transportation, access to essential services, and overall economic growth.

Underdeveloped and poorly connected transportation networks, including roads, railways, and ports, hamper the movement of goods and people across the region. This stifles trade, social integration, and access to markets. This infrastructure deficit also hinders efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens. Addressing these challenges is essential for unlocking West Africa’s economic potential, reducing poverty, and fostering sustainable development.

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A case study: The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway

As infrastructure development is crucial for any nation’s socio-economic growth, West Africa offers a promising case study: the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This ambitious project in Nigeria aims to strengthen connectivity and stimulate development across the country. But can this highway be the key to bridging the regional infrastructure gap and fostering national cohesion?

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is envisioned as a major arterial road stretching approximately 700 kilometres along Nigeria’s coastline. This extensive infrastructure project will connect Lagos, the bustling commercial capital and economic powerhouse of Nigeria, to Calabar, a vibrant city in the southeastern region known for its cultural heritage and scenic beauty. The highway aims to facilitate smoother and faster movement of goods and people, thereby enhancing logistical efficiency and reducing travel time. By linking major economic hubs such as Lagos with smaller towns and communities along the route, the highway is expected to bolster trade, tourism, and regional integration, ultimately contributing to a more cohesive and economically balanced nation.

One of the primary goals of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is to bridge the existing regional disparities within Nigeria, a country marked by significant differences in development across its regions. The southeastern region has historically lagged in terms of infrastructure development compared to the more prosperous southwestern and northern regions, where economic activities are more concentrated. By significantly improving connectivity, the highway could unlock a plethora of economic opportunities in these less developed areas, attracting both domestic and foreign investments.

This enhanced infrastructure would not only facilitate the movement of goods and people but also stimulate local economies, promote industrial growth, and create jobs. Consequently, it would contribute to a more balanced and equitable growth, helping to uplift communities that have long been marginalised and fostering a more inclusive national development.

Improved access to markets, healthcare, education, and other essential services can also significantly uplift communities in the southeastern region. Moreover, enhanced transportation infrastructure can stimulate local industries, create jobs, and reduce poverty levels. For instance, agricultural producers in the southeast could benefit from better access to urban markets, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing profitability.

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National connectivity and economic growth

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has the potential to transform Nigeria’s national connectivity. Currently, the country’s road network is plagued by poor maintenance, congestion, and safety issues. A modern, well-maintained highway could alleviate these problems, ensuring smoother and safer travel for commuters and freight.

Enhanced connectivity between Lagos and Calabar could spur economic growth by facilitating trade and commerce. The highway would serve as a critical link for transporting goods from the ports in Lagos to the southeastern markets and beyond. This improved logistical efficiency could lower transportation costs, making Nigerian products more competitive in both domestic and international markets.

Furthermore, the highway could enhance tourism by providing easier access to Nigeria’s coastal attractions, such as the beaches in Calabar and the vibrant cultural scene in Lagos, while creating more tourist attractions along the way as well. This boost in tourism could generate significant revenue and create sustained employment opportunities for locals, especially women and youth.

Fostering national cohesion

Beyond economic benefits, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway holds promise for fostering greater national cohesion. Nigeria is a diverse country with numerous ethnic groups and cultural differences. Infrastructure projects like the highway can promote integration and unity by improving physical connectivity and encouraging inter-regional interactions.

Increased mobility can lead to a better understanding and appreciation of different cultures, fostering a sense of national identity and solidarity. Individuals from Lagos could travel to Calabar more easily, as well as more places along the coastal highway, experiencing the unique heritage and traditions of the region. This cultural exchange can help bridge societal divides and promote peaceful coexistence.

Considerations to be made

While the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project presents numerous opportunities, it is not without challenges. The successful implementation of such a large-scale infrastructure project requires careful planning, substantial funding, and effective execution.

The selected EPC contractor – Hitech Construction Limited, a part of the Chagoury group and one of Nigeria’s leading civil engineering companies, is renowned for its focus on ensuring social impact value during construction of its ambitious projects including the Bar Beach Shoreline Protection project which was a highly successful attempt to protect the shoreline and prevent flooding along the coastal area in Victoria Island.

Additionally, community engagement and stakeholder involvement are crucial. Constant communication and engagement with local communities along the coastal highway route should be implemented to ensure thorough understanding of their needs and concerns.

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The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway holds significant potential to mend West Africa’s infrastructure gap and drive national development. By enhancing connectivity, the highway can bridge regional disparities, stimulate economic growth, and foster national cohesion. However, realising these benefits requires overcoming challenges related to funding, governance, and environmental sustainability.

As Nigeria embarks on this transformative journey, it is imperative to adopt a holistic approach that considers the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of the project. With the right strategies and commitment, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway could become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s infrastructure development, paving the way for a more connected, prosperous, and cohesive nation.

Somo Onyema, writes from Lagos