Tinubu Reroutes Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Through Ogoniland to Immortalize Late Senator Mpigi; Umahi Hails Fallen Works Chair as ‘Bridge-Builder of Integrity’

The Federal Government has “flipped the script” on the engineering design of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to pay a lasting debt of gratitude to one of its most dedicated lawmakers. During an emotional Night of Tribute at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Minister of Works Dave Umahi revealed that President Tinubu has officially approved the rerouting of the highway to pass through Ogoniland. The “Solution” to preserving the legacy of the late Senator Mpigi Barinada Barry is now etched in concrete and asphalt.

Senator Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East and chaired the Senate Committee on Works, was a powerhouse in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector until his passing in February. Minister Umahi noted that the “Renewed Hope” for many stalled projects in the Niger Delta—including the Bodo–Bonny Road—was often made possible by Mpigi’s silent but strategic interventions. “In recognition of his selfless service, the President has approved this reroute. It is a testament to a man whose word was his bond,” Umahi told the gathered political elite.

The “Tsunami” of grief that followed the Senator’s death at age 64 has been met with a commitment from the Ministry of Works to “tinker” with the coastal highway’s path to ensure his people benefit directly from his life’s work. The move is seen as a major win for the Ogoni people, as the highway will now act as a primary economic artery through their territory, linking them directly to the national trade corridor from Lagos to Calabar.

As the 2027 “Drill or Drop” political pressures begin to rise, this gesture serves as a rare moment of bipartisan unity. For the family and constituents of the late Senator, the message from Abuja is clear: while the man has fallen, the road he paved for his people is only just beginning. The Federal Government has promised that this specific section will be prioritized to ensure that the Senator’s vision for a connected Nigeria becomes a reality.