FG Calls Stakeholders Meeting on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

The Federal Government has called a stakeholder meeting on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as concerns grow over flooding and environmental issues around parts of the project corridor.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, and will bring together key government agencies, lawmakers, environmental officials, the Lagos State Government, landlords’ associations and other stakeholders connected to the project.

Those expected at the engagement include the Senate and House Committees on Works, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, representatives of the Lagos State Government and other relevant bodies.

According to a statement by Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Works, the meeting is aimed at addressing environmental concerns, improving public awareness and strengthening cooperation on flood management along the highway route.

The decision followed an inspection of completed and ongoing sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, members of the National Assembly, presidential aides, officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment and journalists.

Umahi denies highway caused Lagos flooding

During the inspection, Umahi dismissed claims that the coastal highway was responsible for flooding in parts of Lagos.

He said the project was designed to improve drainage and help move floodwater away from shoreline communities, not worsen flooding.

According to the minister, the Federal Ministry of Works had already engaged the Lagos State Government on dredging and other environmental measures to reduce flooding in affected areas.

Umahi blamed much of the flooding on human activities, including indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocked drainage channels, covered manholes and violations of environmental regulations by some residents.

“You can see people blocking manholes and creating hazards to the environment. Many complaints about flooding stem from human activities, not the road project,” he said.

He assured residents that the Federal Government, working with the Lagos State Government, would continue to carry out environmental remediation works, including dredging, improved drainage and enforcement of the approved right-of-way.

The minister warned that buildings and structures blocking drainage channels or encroaching on approved setbacks would be removed.

FG promises stronger flood control measures

Umahi said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was built with modern engineering features to manage stormwater. These include culverts, drainage channels and embankments designed to support flood-control efforts across Lagos.

He explained that the inspection was carried out on the directive of President Bola Tinubu as part of the government’s effort to protect lives, property and public infrastructure while promoting sustainable development.

To protect completed sections of the highway, Umahi directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr. Olufemi Dare, to ensure full compliance with environmental safety standards.

He also announced the recruitment of 40 personnel to monitor the project corridor. The team will include 20 day operatives and 20 night operatives.

According to him, the operatives will help prevent theft, vandalism of road infrastructure and illegal dumping of refuse along the highway.

The minister said environmental complaints raised by residents along the project alignment would continue to receive attention through regular stakeholder engagement and mitigation measures.

Residents urged to protect drainage channels

Also speaking during the inspection, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the South-West, Moremi Ojudu, urged residents to take responsibility for protecting their environment.

She said the success of flood-control efforts would depend not only on government intervention but also on the cooperation of residents and communities.

Senate Minority Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, said flooding in Lagos existed before the coastal highway project. He urged authorities to rely on technical and environmental experts in dealing with the problem.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, also backed the minister’s position.

They said Lagos had faced flooding challenges long before the construction of the coastal highway and called for proactive, science-based solutions to address the issue.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway remains one of the Federal Government’s major infrastructure projects. However, with environmental concerns rising along the corridor, the planned stakeholder meeting is expected to provide a platform for government officials, lawmakers, experts and affected communities to agree on practical ways to manage flooding, protect drainage systems and safeguard the project.