Minister of Works David Umahi has defended the Federal Government’s decision to change the route of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Ondo State, citing difficult terrain and rising construction costs.
Umahi said the original route passed through areas with pits more than 100 metres deep and lacked suitable sharp sand within 300 metres, making construction more expensive.
“I am aware of petitions against me saying I diverted the Ondo section.
"I welcome that.
"That is how it is supposed to be because we are serving the public.
"You are subject to public scrutiny,” he said.
“But the important thing is whether you are doing the right thing or the wrong thing.
"We have no regret for decisions taken in Ondo.”
The minister said the government had redesigned the route to avoid the difficult terrain, adding that sand filling was almost complete.
However, the decision has triggered demands for transparency from opposition figures, lawyers and community groups concerned about the economic future of Ondo’s coastal communities.
Opposition, Communities Demand Transparency
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked the Federal Government to publish the highway’s contract documents, payment records, original designs and revised route plans.
Atiku, through a statement by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for the African Democratic Congress presidential campaign council, also demanded clarification on reports of a proposed $20 billion loan allegedly linked to the project.
“Tinubu sold Nigerians a coastal highway.
"Now his minister says parts of it will follow an existing road inland.
"That is not a minor adjustment to a drawing,” Atiku said.
The allegations about the proposed loan have not been independently established.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that coastal communities are not excluded from the highway’s economic benefits.
The Ilaje Omuro Community Connect group has also petitioned the president, the National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies, seeking an independent engineering assessment and a comparative cost audit of the original and revised routes.
The group questioned why the original coastal alignment was considered unsuitable despite previous road construction in the area.
Niyi Akingunola, an African Democratic Congress candidate for Ondo East/West Federal Constituency, also questioned whether the reported change complied with procurement and budgetary requirements.
He argued that substantial changes should be supported by updated engineering assessments, environmental studies and cost estimates.
Umahi Clarifies Project Timeline
Amid the controversy, the Federal Ministry of Works has clarified that the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has not been abandoned or replaced by the East-West Road reconstruction.
Umahi said the additional 400-kilometre East-West Road project would complement the coastal highway, while survey and design work continues on the remaining sections towards Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
He said Section Two, covering 55 kilometres, was expected to be ready by mid-November 2026.
Sections Three A and Three B, covering parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, have recorded more than 40% progress, according to the ministry.
Construction of the remaining coastal highway sections is expected to begin after surveys, designs and procurement are completed.
The minister also said construction on a separate 129-kilometre road linking the Edo-Delta boundary to the Delta-Bayelsa boundary was expected to begin in November.
The government has maintained that the highway remains part of Tinubu’s infrastructure programme, while critics insist that its route, cost and expected benefits must be made public.
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