The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (LCCH) is a major road project (282 miles) in Nigeria that aims to connect Lagos and Calabar, while traversing states like Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, and Cross River.
The highway is significant because it will improve transportation and economic development in the region, reduce travel time and costs, and enhance trade and commerce between the cities and states along the route.
Added to this, it will also boost tourism and economic growth in the coastal communities and create jobs and economic opportunities for the people in the region.
However, the project has faced several challenges, including funding issues, environmental concerns, and community displacement.
The project has been ongoing for several years, and its completion date has been delayed several times. Despite these challenges, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road remains a critical infrastructure project for Nigeria’s economic development and regional integration.
1. Funding: The project has faced significant funding challenges, with delays in releasing funds and inadequate allocation of resources.
The minister of works, Dave Umahi, had explained that the 700km highway would tentatively gulp N15.36tn or N4.39bn per kilometre at a time when the country is struggling with economic hardship.
2. Environmental concerns: The project passes through sensitive ecosystems, including wetlands and mangrove forests, raising concerns about environmental impact and potential damage to biodiversity.
For instance, Umahi has been berated for allegedly downplaying the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) aspect of the multi-billion naira project.
At a media briefing by the minister on Wednesday, May 1, a television reporter asked him about the EIA on the project.
A drama broke out when the reporter asked if the ministry granted any exemption to go ahead with the project without the final approval.
According to the journalist, the EIA Act of 1992 states that an EIA must be approved by the ministry before the commencement of any project unless an exemption has been given.
See the session in the tweet below:
Arise News Correspondent, Laila Johnson-Salami @lailajohnsonsal questions Senator David Umahi about the Lagos-Calabar Highway Project’s environmental impact assessment. She asks whether the project has received final approval from the Federal Ministry of Environment or if an… pic.twitter.com/IliadSGDfA
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) May 1, 2024
3. Displacement: The project requires the acquisition of land, resulting in the displacement of communities and potential social and economic impacts on affected residents.
Umahi has accused Paul Onwuanibe, chief executive officer (CEO) of Landmark Africa Group, of politicising issues arising from the road under construction.
While Onwuanibe had argued that the government did not formally contact the resort on the impact the project would have on the beach business, Umahi insisted that the current administration only destroyed shanties at the beach on its 250-metre right of way.
4. Geology: The project traverses difficult terrain, including swamps, hills, and rivers, posing engineering and construction challenges.
5. Security: The project passes through areas prone to militancy, kidnapping, and other security threats, posing risks to workers and equipment.
6. Corruption: Allegations of corruption and mismanagement have plagued the project, leading to delays and cost overruns.
Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned claims being made by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration about the project.
Atiku in April described as wasteful and a highway to fraud the claim by Umahi that the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will tentatively cost N15.6 trillion.
Atiku slammed the minister 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.”
7. Technicality: The project requires complex engineering solutions, including bridges, flyovers, and drainage systems, which can be technically challenging to execute.
The government had promised Nigeria that the highway would be constructed with concrete technology while it is expected to drive investment opportunities and quicken returns on investment within economic corridors in Lagos.