The Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Monday dismissed reports that the Federal Government had abandoned the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in favour of the East-West Road.
Nigerians had taken to social media on Monday to criticise Umahi over his recent statements on the coastal highway, which they said suggested a realignment contrary to the initial project plan.
Among others, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, legal practitioners Chidi Odinkalu and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, and House of Representatives candidate in Ondo State, Niyi Akingunola, had demanded that the Federal Government be transparent about the alleged realignment.
Umahi spoke to State House correspondents on Monday after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. He described the claims that the coastal project had been abandoned as “mischievous”.
The minister explained that the planned addition of 400 kilometres of the East-West Road to the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme was a complementary project and would not replace any part of the coastal highway.
He said the original alignment of the coastal highway remained intact, adding that construction was ongoing on several sections simultaneously.
Umahi said the decision to incorporate the East-West Road into the wider plan was driven by the need to improve regional connectivity, protect existing infrastructure from flooding and boost investment in the Niger Delta.
The minister explained that the planned addition of 400 kilometres of the East-West Road to the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme was a complementary project and would not replace any part of the coastal highway.
He said the original alignment of the coastal highway remained intact, adding that construction was ongoing on several sections simultaneously.
Umahi said the decision to incorporate the East-West Road into the wider plan was driven by the need to improve regional connectivity, protect existing infrastructure from flooding and boost investment in the Niger Delta.
According to him, “What we have done is to also seek the approval of Mr President to add the 400 kilometres of the East-West Road, starting from Edo State down to Akwa Ibom, and also to Cross River.”
He noted that although parts of the coastal highway had been procured in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, the East-West Road extended beyond those sections, making its integration necessary for wider regional development.
The minister said some sections of the East-West Road had been built below flood levels. About three weeks ago, he recalled, parts of the road around Agbarho, in the Ughelli axis of Delta State, were badly damaged, forcing the state government to intervene.
He said Edo State had faced similar problems, strengthening the case for a comprehensive intervention along the 400-kilometre corridor.
Umahi said work on the East-West Road would not interfere with the coastal highway’s alignment.
He said survey and engineering work was ongoing in states where major construction had not started.