Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, has hinted at a possible upward cost review for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which is currently estimated at fifteen trillion Naira, to cover additional features such as tree planting, solar-powered closed-circuit television cameras, security posts, and lay-bys every five kilometers, alongside extensive ground preparation like removing refuse and deep soil layers. During a project inspection tour at the Lagos end of the highway, Umahi expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work delivered by the contractor, Hitech Construction Limited, while noting that various federal infrastructure projects are moving forward on schedule with expected commissioning by late May 2025, alongside plans to begin constructing a train track for the coastal highway in 2025.

Former Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has renewed his call for the Senate to withdraw the current tax reform bills, arguing that the proposed changes are poorly timed given the severe economic hardship facing the nation and will negatively impact low- and middle-income citizens nationwide rather than targeting any specific region. Speaking in the capital city, the senator emphasized that all regions of the country are mutually dependent for survival, firmly rejecting claims that the northern region is a parasite. Furthermore, he urged the government to prioritize reducing the high cost of governance, ensure greater transparency and efficiency from federal revenue agencies, and conduct much broader consultations with state governments, local councils, and private sector stakeholders before moving forward with any legislative changes.