FG Says It Is Not Sorry for Changing Coastal Highway Plan as Critics Complain

(David Umahi. Photo by The Guardian Nigeria News)

The Federal Government has no regret over its decisions on the Ondo section of the Lagos Calabar coastal highway, Works Minister Dave Umahi said in Abuja.

He said the choices were based on sound engineering and were meant to make sure the project is delivered.

Not everyone agrees.

Senior Advocate Ebun Olu Adegboruwa wants President Tinubu to protect coastal communities from being left out.

He asked the Ministry of Works to explain the approved route and name the coastal towns that will be served or bypassed.

He also wants a stakeholders meeting before any final changes.

HURIWA asked why flooding and climate risks were not properly dealt with in the original plan.

It wants to know who approved that plan and whether proper technical studies were done before public money was spent.

Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, also weighed in.

He claims pressure is being put on the National Assembly to approve a loan of up to 20 billion dollars tied to coastal highway payments.

He wants the government to publish full details of the project.

Umahi also gave an update. Section one, from Victoria Island, is finished and ready for commissioning.

Section two should have its pavement done by November.

Work is moving from both the Lagos and Calabar ends.

The Calabar end is now over 40 percent complete, and Section Five in Akwa Ibom has passed 20 percent.

The ministry has also asked the President to approve adding 400 kilometres of road from Edo through Akwa Ibom to Cross River.