Diaspora Nigerians Cry Out over Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project

Korede Abdullah in Lagos

A group of Nigerians living abroad has raised concerns over the alleged diversion of the original route of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway construction project at Okun Ajah, Lagos State.

The group claims this change has negatively impacted their investments in WinHomes Estate, located in the same area. They accuse the Federal Ministry of Works of deviating from the original gazetted alignment of the highway.

According to Mr. Femi Adekoya, a representative of the group, the diversion has led to the destruction of buildings and other structures within the privately owned housing estate. Furthermore, the group alleges harassment and intimidation by Ministry officials in an attempt to silence them.

However, the Federal Ministry of Works has swiftly denied these allegations. Mr. Orji Orji, Media Adviser to Minister Dave Umahi, stated that no Ministry official has the authority to alter the project’s original route.

Orji dismissed the group’s claims as politically motivated, suggesting they are seeking to exploit the situation for political gain.

In contrast, the group insisted that the Ministry’s actions threaten their investments, emphasizing that they hold legitimate land titles, including Certificates of Occupancy issued by the Lagos State Government.

It’s worth noting that Minister Dave Umahi had previously reassured residents of Okun-Ajah community that their properties would not be demolished for the project, emphasizing that construction would follow the original gazetted route.

The Minister also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to minimizing the project’s negative impact on residents.

The controversy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has sparked concerns about transparency and accountability in large-scale infrastructure development.

As the project progresses, it remains to be seen how the interests of all stakeholders will be addressed.