The Federal Government’s decision to reroute part of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road has reignited debate over the project’s reported ₦15 trillion price tag, contract award process and long-term design.
The controversy followed a statement by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, that the road would move inland after Lagos and Ogun states, passing through Edo State to connect with the East-West Road rather than continuing along the originally proposed coastal route.
Reports cited by Business Journal said the minister attributed the change to difficult terrain, soft soil, rising construction costs and the prospect of building numerous bridges along the original alignment.
Cost and feasibility under scrutiny
The proposed change has raised questions about how the ₦15 trillion project cost was calculated, which technical studies informed the decision and whether the revised route will deliver the intended connectivity benefits.
Critics have also questioned whether the required environmental impact assessment and engineering feasibility studies were adequately addressed for a project of this scale.
Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has expressed concerns about the engineering challenges posed by the Niger Delta’s swampy terrain. Human-rights lawyer Femi Falana has also criticised the change from a coastal to an inland alignment.
These criticisms remain allegations and questions raised by public figures; they do not, on their own, establish wrongdoing.
Government faces pressure for transparency
The project’s scale makes transparent procurement, independent technical assessment and public disclosure of costs particularly important.
The government will need to explain the revised route, publish the technical justification and clarify how the change affects the project’s budget, completion schedule and intended benefits.
The central issue is not only whether the road can be built, but whether public funds are being committed to a design supported by credible engineering, environmental and economic assessments.
