House of Representatives Calls for Review of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Changes

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is set to be completed in eight years. Recently, the House of Representatives urged the Federal Ministry of Works to review proposed changes to the highway’s alignment and stick to the original plan.

This request came after a motion highlighted the need to assess how the changes could affect coastal communities. Lawmakers are worried that altering the highway could harm its goals of improving connectivity and boosting economic growth.

They emphasized the importance of looking into various factors before making changes, such as engineering needs, environmental impacts, and costs over the highway’s lifespan. Any new routes should consider the full costs, including longer distances, bridges, and maintenance.

The House also mentioned that specialized engineering solutions could help with challenging terrain. These solutions might include techniques to stabilize soil and build stronger foundations.

Additionally, lawmakers called for improved feeder roads to connect isolated fishing communities to the highway, especially in areas where the main road is diverted due to difficult conditions.

As part of their resolution, they requested that the Ministry of Works submit the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for review. This assessment is crucial for addressing concerns about the proposed changes and ensuring that similar issues do not arise in the future.

There is ongoing debate about the proposed changes. Works Minister Dave Umahi stated that the reconstruction of another road would not impact the original coastal highway plan. However, many are still worried about how the new routes will affect access for coastal communities.