A major controversy has emerged regarding the Ondo State section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, where the Federal Ministry of Works has altered the original route. The change has sparked concerns among local stakeholder groups, including Afenifere and the Ilaje Committee of Lawyers, who argue that the new alignment bypasses Ondo's approximately 100-kilometer coastline. This decision has raised questions about the project's original concept and its potential impact on the region's development.
The realignment of the highway has been met with resistance from various groups, who claim that it will deny coastal communities in Ondo State access to the benefits of the project. They argue that a coastal highway should not substantially bypass the coastal communities, but rather create economic corridors, employment, logistics opportunities, and stimulate development along Nigeria's coastal belt. The groups have called for transparency, professional scrutiny, and responsible public engagement in the project's planning and execution.
The issue has been described as one of national significance, transcending local or sectional demands. The Ilaje community, an integral part of Ondo State, is said to have extensive coastline, waterways, fishing communities, and maritime activities that place it at the heart of the state's blue-economy potential. The alteration of the highway's alignment has raised concerns about the potential economic and developmental impact on the region.
The central issue revolves around the definition of a "coastal" highway and its relationship with Nigeria's actual coastline. Stakeholders are asking questions about the technical considerations behind the realignment, including soil bearing capacity, geotechnical stability, environmental impact, and construction cost. They argue that engineering challenges should invite engineering solutions, rather than automatic abandonment of the coastal alignment.
The controversy has sparked a debate on the importance of transparent technical conversations in the planning and execution of major public infrastructure projects. Stakeholders are calling for a careful assessment of available engineering solutions and alternatives, as well as a consideration of the long-term benefits and costs of the project. They argue that Nigerians should be able to see the technical basis for the decision to alter the highway's alignment.
The project's impact on the environment and local communities has also raised concerns. The coastal environment is said to be challenging, but stakeholders argue that modern engineering has demonstrated that infrastructure can be constructed across difficult terrains. They are calling for a consideration of the environmental implications of the project and the additional infrastructure required to connect bypassed coastal communities.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has been touted as a major infrastructure development that will transform communities, open markets, create employment, and stimulate investment. However, the controversy surrounding its realignment in Ondo State has raised questions about its potential impact on the region's development and the need for transparent and responsible public engagement in the project's planning and execution.
Key points
- The realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Ondo State has sparked concerns about the project's impact on the region's development and the environment.
- Stakeholders are calling for transparency, professional scrutiny, and responsible public engagement in the project's planning and execution.
- The controversy has raised questions about the definition of a "coastal" highway and its relationship with Nigeria's actual coastline.
