Ondo Coastal Communities Urge FG to Investigate Lagos-Calabar Highway Route Change
Coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have called on the Federal Government to investigate the alleged diversion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway away from their area.
The Ilaje Omuro Community Connect, a group representing more than 1,000 people of Ilaje origin, also urged the National Assembly and relevant anti-corruption agencies to examine the circumstances surrounding the reported route change.
In a statement issued through its lawyer and representative, Babatunde Omobone, the group challenged the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to explain the technical reasons for rejecting the proposed route through Ilaje.
The group demanded an independent engineering assessment, public disclosure of the reasons behind the decision and an audit of its financial implications. It also called for the release of feasibility studies, geological assessments, environmental impact reports and cost estimates for the proposed route and available alternatives.
To support its position, the group cited previous road projects in the Ilaje coastal area, arguing that the government should clarify the specific engineering, environmental, geological or financial challenges that could make the proposed alignment unsuitable.
The communities said residents already face coastal erosion, seawater intrusion, inadequate transport infrastructure and limited economic opportunities. They warned that excluding the area from the highway corridor could restrict access to markets, discourage investment and affect fishing, agriculture, tourism, trade and logistics.
The group also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate any credible evidence of corruption, abuse of office or improper influence linked to the route decision or related contracts.
However, it stressed that its demand was for accountability and a fair investigation, not a declaration of guilt against any individual.
While acknowledging that safety, environmental and economic factors could justify changes to a highway route, the group insisted that the Federal Government should publicly explain its decision and consult affected residents, traditional institutions and civil society organisations before finalising the alignment.
The communities maintained that they support national infrastructure development but want Ilaje to receive fair consideration in a project expected to improve connectivity and economic opportunities along Nigeria’s coastline.
