The Ugbo Development Congress (UDC) has urged the Federal Government to reconsider the reported realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which was initially planned to pass through the Ilaje axis of Ondo State. According to the UDC, the new route, which is said to be shifted towards the Ovia/Gelegele axis of Edo State, may leave coastal communities in Ondo State disconnected from the infrastructure intended to stimulate economic development.
The UDC acknowledged that the Federal Ministry of Works had explained that the original coastal alignment faced engineering challenges, including deep weak soils and peat, major water crossings, and high construction costs. However, the congress argued that such challenges should be subjected to a transparent comparison of the engineering, environmental, and economic implications of both routes.
The UDC called for the publication of the original and revised alignments, including maps and coordinates, as well as the geotechnical and geological findings informing the reported decision. The congress also requested an independent comparative assessment covering construction costs per kilometre, total project costs, maintenance and life-cycle costs, bridge requirements, water crossings, land acquisition, and environmental impact.
The organisation listed several engineering options that could be considered to address the challenges faced by the original coastal route, including preloading, prefabricated vertical drains, geotextiles, soil stabilisation, deep soil mixing, piling, and reinforced embankments. The UDC also emphasised the importance of meaningful consultation with affected Ilaje communities and their representatives, alongside a comprehensive environmental and socioeconomic assessment of both routes.
The UDC argued that retaining a route close to the Ilaje coastal communities could improve access to fisheries, aquaculture, oil and gas services, marine transportation, tourism, manufacturing, and other investment opportunities. The congress also stressed that a highway serving the communities could open up new markets, generate employment, and attract private-sector investment, while a route that bypassed them could limit their access to the project's anticipated benefits.
The UDC consequently challenged the relevant authorities to publish official cost comparisons to enable Nigerians to assess which route would be more economical to construct and maintain and deliver greater long-term economic benefits. The congress called on President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Works, the National Assembly, the Ondo State Government, and other relevant authorities to support an independent review of the alignment.
Key points
- The UDC urges the Federal Government to review the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway route to ensure that it benefits Ondo State's coastal communities.
- The congress argues that the new alignment may disconnect coastal communities in Ondo State from the infrastructure intended to stimulate economic development.
- The UDC calls for an independent comparative assessment of the engineering, environmental, and economic implications of both routes.
