VIDEO: Why Tinubu diverted Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road towards East-West — Umahi

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has explained that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to align the continuation of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway with the existing East-West Road was aimed at addressing the impact of climate change and providing a more sustainable transport route.

Umahi said the decision followed concerns about the condition of the coastal corridor and the need for a lasting solution to challenges affecting access and infrastructure in the area.

Speaking on the project, the minister described Tinubu’s decision as a major development, noting that the existing East-West Road would be upgraded to meet changing environmental conditions.

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“Mr. President, you know, last week, made a very wonderful decision. And that is to say, from the end of Ondo, going into Edo, that in fact, we do not need a new alliance. Past the coastal highway, through the existing East-West route, which was one of my happiest days,” Umahi said.

He explained that the East-West Road, which had been built many years ago, needed to be strengthened to address the effects of climate change.

According to him, the plan includes raising sections of the road by two metres in several locations to place them above the existing flood level and improve their resilience to changing environmental conditions.

“And that’s very beautiful, because we now have to raise the east-west route, you know, in many locations, by two metres, so that it will be above the present flood level, and then also express the expectancy of climate change,” he said.

Umahi also highlighted the importance of the proposed bypass around a difficult section of the corridor, describing it as a key component of the route.

He said the distance from the end of Ondo State to the end of Edo State was about 104 kilometres, with 45 kilometres allocated to the bypass.

“If you are aware of the Benin bypass, you will give kudos to Mr. President, because that’s the only solution we find in order to pass through the open centre of Benin,” the minister said.

Umahi further commended the governors involved in the corridor for their commitment to infrastructure development and cooperation with the Federal Government.

He said the revised alignment and planned upgrades were intended to improve connectivity along the coastal corridor while responding to environmental challenges that could affect the long-term performance of the road.