Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has defended the Federal Government’s decision to divert part of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Ondo State, saying the original route presented major engineering challenges that would have significantly increased construction costs.

Speaking in Abuja during an update on President Bola Tinubu’s major road projects, Umahi said the route change was necessary to address difficult ground conditions, manage public funds and ensure the highway could be built more efficiently.

The minister maintained that the government stood by its decision despite petitions challenging the diversion.

“We have no regret for decisions taken in Ondo,” Umahi said.

Why the Ondo Highway Route Was Changed

Umahi explained that the original route passed through pits more than 100 metres deep, while suitable sharp sand was unavailable up to a depth of 300 metres. According to him, these conditions would have made construction considerably more expensive.

The Ministry of Works subsequently redesigned the route to avoid the most difficult terrain.

Umahi added that sand-filling work extending beyond 10 metres in depth was almost complete, indicating progress on the revised alignment.

The diversion affects Sections 4A and 4B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, covering 67 kilometres across Ogun and Ondo states.

Although the decision has attracted petitions, Umahi insisted that engineering considerations and the need to control costs justified the realignment. The source material does not provide details of the petitions or the specific concerns raised by those challenging the decision.

Tinubu Directs Highway Continuation Through Existing East-West Road

Umahi also disclosed that President Tinubu had directed that the highway’s continuation from Ondo into Edo State should follow the existing East-West Road rather than a newly developed route.

The government plans to raise parts of the road by approximately two metres to reduce flooding risks.

The 104-kilometre Ondo-Edo corridor, which includes the 45-kilometre Benin Bypass, is expected to improve movement between communities, ease traffic congestion and support economic activities across the region.

The proposed alignment and elevation measures are particularly significant for an area where flooding and road conditions can affect travel and the movement of goods.

Updates on Other Sections of the Coastal Highway

Providing an update on construction progress, Umahi said the 47.47-kilometre section beginning from Victoria Island in Lagos had been completed and was awaiting commissioning.

He added that work on the dual pavement along the 55-kilometre second section was expected to be completed in November 2026.

Construction on sections near Calabar had also progressed beyond 30 per cent, according to the minister, while other road projects remained ongoing across the Niger Delta.

Umahi urged residents of the region to recognise the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments, arguing that the projects would strengthen connectivity, improve transportation and encourage economic activity.

Senate President, Senator Akpabio, President Tinubu, Governor Uzodinma and Minister of Works Dave Umahi

The immediate priorities include completing work on the redesigned Ondo route, advancing construction on the other highway sections and implementing the planned connection to Edo State through the existing East-West Road.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is intended to improve transport links across Nigeria’s southern coastline. However, its wider benefits will depend on the completion of the different sections, the effectiveness of the engineering measures and how the project addresses concerns surrounding the route changes.

For communities and businesses across Ogun, Ondo, Edo and the wider Niger Delta, the project’s progress will be important to watch as construction continues.

Awobajo Soliat

Written by Boom RadioNG