Leaders of the Ilaje communities in Ondo State and the Itsekiri communities in Delta State have jointly condemned the decision of Minister of Works, David Umahi, to reroute the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway through inland communities instead of the original coastal corridor. In a resolution signed by Austin Oboroegbeyi, Dr. Benson Enikuomehin, Amaechi Omagbitse, and Dr. Adeolu Efotan, the leaders said the diversion goes against President Bola Tinubu’s initial vision of a true coastal road that would open up shoreline communities and boost economic activity.
They described Umahi’s claim that the coastal alignment is “too expensive” as false, and insisted that the coastal route costs N4bn–N7.5bn per kilometre, while the new inland path will cost N7.5bn–N12bn per kilometre. They also noted that the original coastal stretch measures 100–110km, but the rerouted inland path will extend to 170–190km, cutting through swampy terrain that will require multiple bridges and significantly increase the project cost.
The Ilaje and Itsekiri leaders vowed to work together, engage the Federal Government, and pursue legal action if necessary to ensure the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway returns to its original coastal alignment.
