The Federal Government has announced plans to construct what could become Africa’s first underwater tunnel to connect the ongoing Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry highways.

Speaking during an inspection tour in Lagos on Wednesday, David Umahi, the minister of works, said the tunnel will run for 2.9 kilometres, connecting Ahmadu Bello Way to Snake Island and extending to Badagry.

“Our tunnel is inside the ground. It’s going to be 2.9 kilometres. When done, it’s going to be the first tunnel in Africa inside water,” Umahi said.

The minister explained that the project would be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, using land resources around Snake Island and Badagry to fund the initiative.

“Before people start shouting, oh, you want to borrow, we have land at Snake Island and by Badagry. We hope to use this land under PPP to fund the project, under Build, Operate, and Transfer,” he stated.

According to Umahi, the tunnel plan is part of a broader vision to link the coastal route with the Sokoto–Badagry corridor, thereby improving connectivity and easing pressure on existing Lagos bridges.

The minister also used the occasion to clarify the Federal Government’s new procurement policy, which restricts expatriate firms from bidding for contracts below N20 billion, while giving indigenous contractors more opportunities.

Umahi added that indigenous contractors are not restricted to projects below N20 billion. “We are saying that expatriate firms will no longer do jobs below N20 billion. But indigenous contractors are capable, and they can handle jobs in billions and trillions,” he said.

He further warned contractors against leaving binder courses on roads uncovered for extended periods, saying it leads to premature road failures. “Contractors that fail to comply risk negative certificates, and we will recover monies from their jobs,” Umahi said. (BusinessDy)