The Nigerian Government has established a legal team to address the numerous court ź affecting the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, according to the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
He stated that the decision was vital, as the litigations risked delaying the timely completion of this legacy road project.
According to Umahi, President Bola Tinubu has also approved compensation for property owners along the project corridor, including those with unauthorised structures, noting that the initiative aims to resolve legal obstacles and ensure smooth project execution.
Umahi provided these updates during an inspection and verification tour of Sections I and II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway with members of the National Assembly Committees on Works, where the lawmakers expressed their commitment to supporting the scheduled completion of the 700-kilometre project.
Section I of the project spans 103 kilometres entirely within Lagos State.
A phased execution of the project was adopted for easier construction, beginning with Phase 1 of Section I, which is 47.4 kilometres in length, from Ch.0+000 (Ahmadu Bello Way Junction, Victoria Island) to Ch.47+474 (Eleko Village Junction).
Phase 1, Section II spans a total of 55.6 kilometres, from Ch.47+474 to Ch.103+000 (Ode-Omi, Lagos-Ogun Border).
On-site, Umahi urged the lawmakers to advise other National Assembly Committees to consult the Ministry before summoning its officials over what he termed “frivolous matters” related to the project.
While noting that numerous court cases and petitions were hindering progress on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Minister revealed that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had set up a legal team to address all pending cases.
In a statement released by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, on Saturday, it was disclosed on behalf of the Minister that President Tinubu had approved compensation payments to owners of properties along the project’s corridor, even those with illegal structures.
While urging the aggrieved to approach the courts for redress, as others had done, Umahi appealed to parties not to politicise the project.
“We have many people who do not want this job to be completed. Everything the government tries to accomplish, some people attempt to obstruct,” he said.
Regarding Section II of the project, the Minister informed the visiting legislators that the President had also approved the extension of the 7th Axial Road passing through the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Free Trade Zone, and the Deep Sea Port, built by Messrs Dangote Industries, on the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, to be connected with the Coastal Highway.
According to him, the two sections will be linked via a cable bridge, similar to those in cities like Dubai, UAE.
Responding, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Mpigi Barinada, confirmed that his Committee was convinced the project had not been abandoned, despite speculations from certain quarters, urging the Ministry to approach them on any challenging issues concerning the project.
He further requested that the Minister urgently consider the other sections of the highway passing through the Niger Delta, given his origins from that area.
Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, pledged the commitment and support of the House members and leadership towards the successful and timely completion of the project.
He also commended Mr. President for this legacy project, which will bolster socio-economic activity, as well as the Minister’s proactive approach.
The Minority Whip of the Senate and Committee member, Sen. Osita Ngwu, urged the Ministry to update Nigerians regularly on the project’s progress.
Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Onyechachi Nwebonyi, described the project as a “game changer,” commending the President, the Minister, and the contractor for their efforts, noting that it would bring significant economic benefits.
The Managing Director of the construction company, Mr. Dany Abboud, assured the team of adequate manpower and advanced equipment to complete the project according to specified designs and timelines, and invited them to inspect the equipment yard.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly and Joint Committee on Works have expressed their confidence in Minister David Umahi, affirming the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as an active project.
Committee members passed a vote of confidence in Umahi during an on-site assessment of the ongoing infrastructure projects in Lagos.
They assured the Ministry of their continued support amid petitions allegedly delaying the project’s pace and praised President Bola Tinubu for this project, which they unanimously endorsed as a hallmark of his administration.
In other developments, stakeholders and local residents from the Okun Ajah community on Saturday disagreed with Umahi during a site tour with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Works.
The minister, while briefing the committee at Eleko Beach, said the road was diverted in Okun Ajah due to the presence of submarine cables.
This statement sparked reactions from stakeholders, who claimed, “there is no marine cable in Okun Ajah.”
In response, the Minister clarified: “At KM 16 in Okun Ajah, we encountered a network of cables, including MTN and Africa Network cables coming from the ocean. Many people do not realise this. Twenty-five years ago, these cables were absent; now, they are present.”
To emphasise, he mentioned that a recent cable issue disrupted networks across West Africa, and to avoid similar disruptions, the Ministry consulted stakeholders and decided to divert the Coastal Road.
One stakeholder, Yusuf Odunuga, appealed to the Minister to use this opportunity to shield the Okun Ajah community from ocean surges.
Odunuga, an Okun Ajah local, insisted that the cables are actually in Okun Mopo, several kilometres away.
“Oga, I’m certain the cable is at Kilometre 23. Please use this road diversion to protect our community from ocean surges,” he said.
An investor, Arc Ejiro Asholami, claimed he would lose over N40 million due to the road’s diversion, which he said was beyond his control.
Meanwhile, a stakeholder meeting on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has been scheduled today by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works and the Ministry of Works.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, announced the meeting, to be held at Orchid Hall, Eko Hotel, Lagos, at 12 pm, where representatives from construction firms, government, community leaders, and civil society groups are expected.
Minister of Works Senator David Umahi will brief attendees on the progress of this presidential legacy project and will welcome public feedback.
A similar meeting was held last week in Akure, Ondo State.
