Atiku Questions Tinubu Over $20bn Lagos-Calabar Highway, Raises Concerns Over Rerouting
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over the reported rerouting of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, questioning the Federal Government’s handling of the project and its financial implications.
Atiku’s concerns come amid renewed controversy over the highway’s alignment in Ondo State, following the Federal Government’s decision to reroute part of the project through the existing East-West Road towards Edo State.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed on Monday that President Bola Tinubu had directed that the coastal highway should connect to the existing East-West Road rather than follow an entirely new route from Ondo into Edo State.
Umahi said the decision was informed by difficult terrain and recurring flooding along parts of the existing road. He maintained that the route adjustment was based on engineering considerations.
The minister also explained that the government had redesigned sections of the project to address construction challenges and resolve conflicts involving major infrastructure, including the Dangote Refinery and Lekki Deep Seaport.
However, the route adjustment has attracted criticism from stakeholders in coastal communities in Ondo State, who argue that moving the highway inland could undermine the project’s intended benefits for their communities.
On Sunday, the Ilaje Omuro Community Connect petitioned Tinubu, the National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies, demanding an independent engineering assessment and a comparative cost audit of the alternative routes.
The group alleged that the revised alignment could exclude several coastal communities from the economic opportunities expected from the highway. It also called on the government to publish the relevant engineering assessments and project documents.
The controversy has also renewed questions about the project’s cost, route selection and transparency in the award and implementation of the contract.
Atiku has previously criticised aspects of the coastal highway project, questioning its cost, procurement process and the circumstances surrounding the selection of the contractor.
The former vice-president had also raised concerns about the demolition of properties along parts of the highway’s route, arguing that the treatment of affected businesses could send negative signals to investors.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a major infrastructure project of the Tinubu administration, designed to connect Lagos with coastal states in southern Nigeria and terminate in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Federal Government says the project is intended to improve transportation and connectivity along the country’s coastline.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Works has defended the route adjustment, insisting that the decision was necessary to address difficult terrain and flooding risks.
The debate over the project is expected to continue as stakeholders seek greater clarity on the reasons for the rerouting, its financial implications and its potential impact on communities along the proposed corridor.
