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

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said President Bola Tinubu decided to link the next phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to the existing East-West Road to address the effects of climate change and create a more durable route.

Umahi said the move became necessary due to the condition of the coastal corridor and the need to find a lasting solution to the problems affecting transportation and infrastructure in the area.

He described Tinubu’s decision as a major step, adding that the East-West Road would be upgraded to withstand current environmental realities.

According to him, the road, built many years ago, needs to be reinforced to cope with the effects of climate change.

He disclosed that parts of the road would be raised by two metres in some areas to keep them above flood levels and make them more resilient.

Umahi also stressed the need for the proposed bypass around a difficult stretch of the corridor, calling it a crucial part of the project.

He said the stretch from the end of Ondo State to the end of Edo State was about 104 kilometres, with 45 kilometres earmarked for the bypass.

“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.

“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.

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