Posted by Chinenye on Tue 13th Oct, 2026 - tori.ng
Works Minister Dave Umahi has spoken out over the decision to change part of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, insisting there were important reasons behind the move.
(Minister Dave Umahi. Photo by The sun Nigeria)
Works Minister Dave Umahi has defended the decision to divert the Ondo section of the Lagos Calabar coastal highway.
He spoke in Abuja while giving an update on the president's four legacy road projects.
He said the old route ran through pits more than 100 metres deep and through areas with no good sharp sand for up to 300 metres.
Building there would have cost much more.
So the ministry changed the route and is now filling the low ground with over 10 metres of sand.
The filling is almost done.
Umahi said he has heard about petitions accusing him of the diversion.
He said he welcomes the scrutiny and still has no regrets.
The changed section covers 67 kilometres, with 27 in Ogun State and about 40 in Ondo State.
It will end near the Ondo Edo border.
Tinubu has also approved using the existing East West road for the stretch from Ondo into Edo instead of building a new route.
Umahi said the road was built without enough thought for climate change and floods.
Recent flooding at Ahoada pushed the decision.
Many parts of the road will be raised by about two metres.
On other sections, Umahi said section one from Victoria Island is finished and ready to be commissioned.
Section two should be completed next month.
A 129 kilometre road from the Edo Delta border to the Delta Bayelsa border should start in November.