The Federal Government has revealed plans to demolish approximately 700 properties to make way for the ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. This update was shared by Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the Lagos State Controller of Works, during a stakeholders’ meeting on Sunday. The new figure represents a significant reduction from the earlier estimate of 1,500 properties that would have been demolished.
Kesha emphasized that the decision to reduce the number of demolitions was made to follow the most cost-effective approach for the project. “Instead of having to demolish about 1,500 houses, we took the most economical route. Now we are left with less than 700 houses to be demolished,” she explained.
The project, which spans a total of 47.4 kilometres in Section 1, is expected to bring massive improvements to Nigeria’s transportation network. Kesha also addressed concerns about property demolitions, clarifying that the current route was chosen based on feasibility and economics, not on old alignment plans.
In his speech, Minister of Works, David Umahi, highlighted the transformative impact the highway would have on Nigeria’s transport system. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is designed not only to alleviate traffic congestion but also to introduce eco-friendly features, including carbon credit generation. “This project is going to evacuate all the traffic out of the town, and that will be a big plus for us,” Umahi stated. “We are not only building for today; we are also building for tomorrow.” The highway will also incorporate multi-modal transport systems, with a rail line positioned in the middle of the road.
Umahi further discussed the challenges of Section 2, particularly the need to create a 60-metre clearance to allow trucks to access Dangote refinery. This will be addressed with the construction of a massive flyover system that will span several kilometers. He also mentioned that the project would be connected to several others across Nigeria, including the Sokoto-Badagry legacy project and multiple ongoing expansions in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
Addressing the future of the Sokoto-Badagry project, Umahi acknowledged the difficulties posed by rivers along the stretch, stating that several solutions are being considered to mitigate the challenges.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, along with other connected legacy projects, forms part of a broader vision to improve transportation and infrastructure across Nigeria. Umahi stressed that no region would be left behind and warned against the misuse of the new infrastructure.
