The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to review the proposed realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and retain its originally planned route through Ondo State and the Escravos Ogheye Ugborodo corridor in Delta State. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Thomas Ereyitomi during plenary on Wednesday, October 21, amid concerns that diverting the multibillion naira project away from riverine communities could undermine its economic objectives, isolate oil-producing settlements and deprive residents of long awaited infrastructure development. Lawmakers also demanded greater transparency regarding the engineering, environmental and financial implications of the proposed changes.
The motion, titled Need to Review the Proposed Realignment of the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway and Its Implications for Coastal Communities, questioned the Federal Ministry of Works’ justification for altering parts of the highway’s original alignment. Ereyitomi, who represents a constituency in Delta State, argued that the project was conceived to improve transportation along Nigeria’s Atlantic coastline, promote interstate commerce and connect historically underserved communities to major economic centres. He warned that moving the road inland could weaken those objectives, particularly in areas where residents have experienced decades of inadequate road access despite the economic importance of their communities.
Federal lawmaker Thomas Ereyitomi sponsored the motion calling for a review of the highway’s proposed realignment.
The affected corridor includes Ogheye, Orere, Ugborodo and Escravos, communities located near important petroleum facilities in Delta State. These installations include Chevron’s tank farm, the Escravos Gas to Liquids plant and other infrastructure supporting Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Ereyitomi maintained that retaining the coastal route could improve the movement of workers, equipment and commercial goods while supporting new connecting roads and economic activities. He further argued that the potential benefits should be weighed against the technical difficulties of construction, rather than allowing challenging terrain alone to determine whether coastal communities receive direct access to the highway.
Minister of Works David Umahi had previously defended the proposed changes, citing flooding, difficult terrain, weak subsoil conditions and other engineering challenges along portions of the planned route. The minister explained that the government was considering the use of sections of the existing East-West Road instead of constructing an entirely new coastal alignment through some difficult areas. On October 12, Umahi also rejected suggestions that the Federal Government had abandoned the wider coastal highway project, insisting that the initiative remained intact. The ministry’s position reflects concerns about construction feasibility, safety and long-term maintenance costs, although lawmakers argue that the technical reasons should be subjected to independent examination before a final decision is taken.
During the debate, Rivers State lawmaker Awaji-Inombek Abiante strongly criticised the proposed diversion, arguing that coastal communities should not be denied infrastructure simply because their terrain presents engineering difficulties. He questioned whether similar challenges would have prevented investment in the same locations if the objective had been to extract petroleum resources. Abiante also demanded that the technical expert behind the proposed realignment appear before lawmakers to explain the decision. He expressed frustration over the historical neglect of oil-producing communities and called for direct engagement with affected residents, stressing that those whose lands and livelihoods could be influenced by the project deserved clear explanations.
Other lawmakers supported the call for stronger environmental and technical scrutiny. Mark Esset, representing a constituency in Akwa Ibom State, urged the Federal Ministry of Works to submit the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment to the House through the appropriate committee. He argued that the document was essential for understanding potential environmental damage and the measures required to address construction risks. Lagos lawmaker Ademorin Kuye also proposed reinforced coastal feeder roads to reconnect fishing and maritime communities where difficult terrain makes inland diversion unavoidable. His proposal sought to balance engineering considerations with the need to preserve economic access and minimise the displacement of residents.
Coastal communities in the Niger Delta could be affected by changes to the highway’s proposed route.
The House further emphasised the importance of comparing the full economic and environmental costs of alternative routes before construction decisions are finalised. Lawmakers identified additional road distances, bridge construction, soil improvement, flood protection, compensation, environmental mitigation and long-term maintenance as factors requiring examination. They also pointed to engineering solutions such as soil stabilisation, geosynthetics, reinforced embankments, piled foundations and elevated viaducts as possible responses to difficult coastal conditions. However, the suitability and cost of these measures would depend on detailed engineering studies, and their availability does not automatically mean that the original route would be cheaper or safer than the proposed alternative.
The highway controversy forms part of a wider national debate surrounding the ambitious coastal road project launched under President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2024. Conceived as a major transportation corridor linking Lagos with Calabar in Cross River State, the highway is intended to strengthen regional trade, improve access to coastal settlements and support investment in tourism, agriculture and industry. The project has faced earlier controversies over procurement arrangements, compensation, environmental concerns and demolition of properties along its alignment. In April 2024, demolition activities affecting structures near Lagos’ coastal development corridor generated public criticism and demands for clearer compensation arrangements, establishing an earlier example of the tensions between infrastructure expansion and the interests of affected communities.
Construction workers and heavy equipment on the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway project.
The implications of the latest disagreement extend beyond the precise location of the highway. Supporters of the original coastal alignment argue that direct road access could stimulate employment, reduce transportation difficulties and attract investment to neglected riverine settlements. They also believe that improved connections to oil and gas facilities could support commercial operations and broaden the economic benefits of federal infrastructure spending. Conversely, the government’s engineering concerns highlight the risks of constructing major roads across flood-prone wetlands and unstable soils, where costs can increase substantially over time. A credible comparison of alternative routes would therefore need to consider both their immediate construction expenses and their long term environmental, social and economic consequences.
As of October 22, 2026, the House of Representatives has adopted the motion urging the Federal Ministry of Works to reconsider the proposed realignment, retain the original coastal corridor where appropriate and provide relevant environmental documentation. The House Committee on Works has been directed to oversee the matter and report back within four weeks for further legislative consideration. No final government decision reversing the proposed realignment has been confirmed. The coming review is expected to determine whether the existing route can be maintained, modified or supplemented with alternative access roads. For affected communities in Ondo and Delta states, the outcome will be an important test of whether the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway delivers its promised benefits to the coastal populations it was originally designed to serve.
