President Bola Tinubu has explained why the ongoing Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project must continue, despite the outrage from several residents in Lagos and other Nigerians over the demolition of beach houses.
Tinubu made this statement during the official commencement of construction for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which took place during his three-day visit to Lagos on May 25.
According to the President, the coastal highway is more than just a road, it is a symbol of hope, unity, and prosperity. The highway will connect communities, bring prosperity to people, and create opportunities for millions.
“Looking to the right of the road, you have opportunities,” he said. “Hold on to the left side of it, you have prosperity. For our nation to excel, we just have to be bold, courageous in our endeavours.
“Not just talking about the Lekki deep sea port and other economic opportunities along that coast. What a 700 kilometres road, concrete paved road will bring is just more than imaginable.”
Tinubu lists benefits
While speaking, the President listed several benefits of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. These benefits include creation of direct and indirect employment for thousands, establishment of export processing zones, improved security and tourism.
He said: “During the period of construction, the road will provide direct employment for thousands of people and indirect employment for tens of thousands of artisans and more.
“Economic opportunities for millions is being open. It will fast track the community development.
“It will bring development closer to the people and give thirty million people improved access to production and marketing centers.
“Establishment of more exports processing zones along the coastal states is a must.
“Security in our region will be improved. Don’t even just talk of tourism. This is an endeavour that you cannot just estimate the opportunities that awaits us.
“You don’t have to travel again to Miami and all that. We have a better weather and more sunshine and then you can open various shops and economic warehouses.
“Don’t be afraid. We will do this wrong road. 700 kilometers, it will be a success for Nigeria and we will do more of this, you and I together, the whole Nigeria.”
Coastal road controversy
The coastal road project has attracted a slew of controversy, especially after it emerged its construction will lead to the demolition of business properties along the route.
One of the properties earmarked for demolition was a section of Landmark Beach.
In a CNN news report on April 5, Paul Onwuanibe, the owner of Landmark Beach, raised concerns about the Lagos State Government’s plan to close down this multimillion-dollar beach resort.
Onwuanibe revealed that the Lagos state government notified him that his beach resort must be removed as it falls within the right-of-way of a planned 700-kilometre (435-mile) coastal highway linking Lagos to Calabar, a port city near the border with Cameroon.
The Head of Brand and Corporate Communications at Landmark Africa, Ms. Elsie Ogianyo, urged the Federal Government to return to the original right-of-way designated for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This original route passes through the Water Corporation Road median, which remains unused, undeveloped, and still available for highway construction.
Their pleas fell on deaf ears as the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, explained during an interview with Channels Television’s Morning Brief that the redesign of the route, which would affect Landmark Beach and other beaches, was necessary.
The Minister explained that the redesign of the route aimed to avoid demolishing existing infrastructure along the original route developed by the initial planners.
The demolition and dredging of the sea affected several private beaches and clubs, including Oniru Beach, Breeze Beach Club, Moist Beach Club, Landmark Beach, The Good Beach, Xchange Lagos Beach Club, G12 Oniru Beach, Mami Chula Beach, Lagos Beach Club, and others.
FG backtracks on new alignment
On May 23, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced during the third stakeholders meeting of the coastal highway project in Lagos that the federal government will abandon the proposed new route of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway from kilometres 16 to 25 of the 47-kilometre highway and revert to the gazetted alignment.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have our proposal here, and we have the old alignment, the gazetted alignment. To the glory of God, to solve MTN, 2Africa, and Okun Ajah community’s complaints, we are diverting completely from the new alignment and we are rejoining back to our new alignment at kilometre 25. Congratulations,” the Minister said.
Umahi further emphasised that the newly revised alignment would not only preserve the Okun Ajah community’s heritage but also avoid disrupting the submarine communication cables.
“The (new) corridor is passing right on the submarine cable and the other side is on the IPP. You cannot have the submarine cables without power. They will not function. The submarine cable is a critical national security infrastructure. If it is affected, everybody will be affected,” he said.