The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to retain the original route of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway through Ondo State and the Escravos–Ogheye–Ugborodo corridor in Delta State, warning that the proposed realignment could deny coastal communities access to the project’s economic benefits.
The resolution was adopted unanimously on Wednesday following a motion sponsored by Thomas Ereyitomi, who represents Warri North, Warri South and Warri West Federal Constituency of Delta State.
The lawmakers’ intervention follows a decision by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to reroute the highway through the existing East-West Road from Ondo State into Edo State.
Umahi had cited persistent flooding challenges along the East-West Road, particularly around the Ughelli axis of Delta State, as a major consideration, explaining that the alternative alignment would avoid constructing a new route through the corridor.
However, presenting his motion, Ereyitomi warned that the proposed diversion could undermine the highway’s original connectivity plan and isolate riverine communities that stand to benefit from improved transportation links and economic opportunities.
He specifically identified the Ogheye–Orere–Ugborodo–Escravos corridor as a strategic coastal zone hosting critical oil and gas infrastructure, including Chevron’s tank farm and the Escravos Gas-to-Liquids (EGTL) plant.
According to the lawmaker, the area and other coastal communities accommodate vital energy facilities and flow stations that contribute significantly to Nigeria’s crude oil exports, foreign exchange earnings, energy supply and broader economic development.
Ereyitomi argued that retaining the original coastal alignment would improve access to these economic hubs, facilitate the movement of personnel, equipment and commercial goods, and stimulate the development of connecting roads and supporting infrastructure.
He maintained that the highway’s design should be assessed beyond immediate construction challenges, with due consideration given to the long-term economic benefits of connecting previously underserved coastal communities.
“Any assessment of alternative alignments should consider the full costs of construction, including additional road distance, bridges, ground improvement, environmental mitigation, compensation, flood resilience, and long-term maintenance,” he said.
The lawmaker added that engineering solutions such as soil stabilisation, geosynthetics, piled foundations, reinforced embankments and elevated viaducts could offer options for overcoming difficult terrain, subject to appropriate technical and environmental assessments.
Lawmakers Challenge Umahi’s Decision
Contributing to the debate, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a lawmaker from Rivers State, criticised the proposed realignment, arguing that it could deprive coastal communities of the benefits promised by the project.
Abiante questioned whether difficult terrain would similarly discourage the government from accessing the affected areas if they were being considered for crude oil exploration and extraction.
He called on Umahi to appear before the House to explain the rationale for the proposed change, while alleging that his constituency had not been provided with the project’s environmental impact assessment.
The Rivers lawmaker also expressed doubts about whether the House Committee on Works would adequately investigate the matter.
His remarks prompted an intervention by Benjamin Kalu, the presiding officer, who demanded that Abiante withdraw his comment questioning the committee’s competence.
Abiante subsequently clarified that his concern was for the committee to adequately consider the interests of affected communities and base its recommendations on a clear understanding of the reasons for the proposed realignment.
Reps Demand Environmental Assessment
In a separate contribution, Mark Esset, a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom State, proposed that the Ministry of Works submit the highway’s environmental impact assessment to the House.
He argued that the document would enable lawmakers to identify potential environmental risks and determine the measures required to address them before construction proceeds.
Ademorin Kuye, a Lagos lawmaker, also called for the construction of reinforced coastal feeder roads to reconnect isolated maritime and fishing communities to the highway wherever the main dual carriageway must divert inland because of deep water pits and unstable terrain.
The proposal was intended to ensure that engineering constraints along difficult sections of the route would not leave coastal settlements cut off from the wider transportation network.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and the accompanying proposals after Kalu put them to a voice vote.
