The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (LCCH) is one of the biggest projects the President Bola Tinubu-led administration has embarked on since its inception in May 2023.
But the project, which is already underway, is fraught with allegations from some Nigerians who feel it is not a priority at a time when Nigeria is grappling with other immediate and more pressing issues, such as its dwindling economy.
Aside from this, some prominent citizens have other misgivings about the LCCH project in terms of its perceived negative impacts on the country and corruption issues allegedly linked to it.
Here are some of the claims against the LCCH:
1. Massive job loss – Peter Obi
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 general elections, has called on President Bola Tinubu to halt the project to save jobs for Nigerians.
In Obi’s view, the project is a misplaced priority by the federal government, insisting that jobs would be lost to add to the current unemployment that has bedevilled the country for years.
Claiming that the Tinubu-led administration is insensitive for coming up with the initiative, the former Anambra governor pointed out that the project would amount to the destruction of businesses and the wastage of investments.
He said back in April: “Contrary to reason and the necessity for compassion in public policy, the federal government has commenced the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
“The outcry against this project has been overwhelming due to the current situation in the country. However, reports as of yesterday indicate that demolition of businesses and residences in the designated right of way for the project has commenced from the Lagos end.
“The sight of this insensitive demolition is heart-wrenching. Livelihoods are being wiped away, lifetime investments are being wasted, and jobs are disappearing as bulldozers roar through. The homes of the elderly are being overturned by the power of bulldozers…”
2. Highway to fraud – Atiku Abubakar
On his part, Atiku Abubakar believes that the government’s claim that the highway will cost N15.6 trillion is fraudulent.
In a statement on Thursday, April 11, Atiku Atiku knocked the minister of works, Dave Umahi, for altering the initial plan of the project after Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech had been awarded the contract without any competitive bidding.
He said, “Umahi had announced that the project would be fully funded by Hitech, and based on this, there was no competitive bidding. He (Umahi) then turned around to say that Hitech could only raise just 6% of the money for the pilot phase. This smacks of deceit.
“The total budget of all 36 states of the federation for 2024 stands at about N14 trillion. If you add that of the FCT, the entire budget of all sub-nationals is N15.91 trillion. This is scandalous. Worse still, they have already awarded the contract but are still not sure of the level of the counterpart funding component of the federal government!…”
3. Ownership of Landmark Group shoreline
While the infrastructure is in its preliminary stage of construction (which involves the demolition of structures around it) there is a tussle over the ownership of Landmark Group shoreline between the CEO of the company, Paul Onwuanibe and the federal government.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, May 1, Umahi faulted Landmark Group shoreline’s title, stating that the shoreline never belonged to the firm.
The minister faulted Landmark Group shoreline’s title at a stakeholder meeting on compensation payments to property owners affected by the project in Lagos on Wednesday.
He said: “…I agree that there are some people in sublet relationships, but the shoreline was never given to Landmark by the Oniru’s family, and so these people he sublets to, rented some makeshifts within the shoreline, and if you go to the shoreline, you will see a demarcation of what was given to him, and you would see it in the different colour of the sand, and you will see it because of the sand filling, the point that the sand is on, and so we are dealing with these people that he submitted this shoreline to illegally.
“I have asked Landmark to bring his documents, and I challenge him and his co-politicians to bring the documents, let him flash the documents before the press. I just believe Landmark is playing politics with politicians because there is nothing to claim.”
4. EIA palava
Many Nigerians have slammed Umahi for allegedly trivialising the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) aspect of the multi-billion Naira Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
The EIA is the assessment of the environmental consequences of a plan, policy, program, or actual project before the decision to move forward with the proposed action.
The EIA Act of 1992 states that an EIA must be approved by the Federal Ministry of Environment before the commencement of any project unless an exemption has been given.
Reacting to this legislation cited by a journalist during a press briefing on Wednesday, the minister only said that the ministry is following due process and that everything is in order.
However, the government on Friday, May 3, announced that it has issued a preliminary impact assessment certification for site clearance and scoping for compensation along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Some citizens are of the opinion that for a project that is far from 50% complete, the LCCH is greeted with too many negative reactions, but the government is not giving any sign of discontinuing the construction.
In fact, Umahi had emphasized the economic benefits and foreign investments associated with these routes. He explained that the construction, which involves concrete pavements and foreign investment, will not only enhance connectivity but also stabilize the naira.
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