The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator (Engr.) David Umahi, has strongly condemned critics of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing their attacks as products of envy and jealousy toward President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold infrastructural legacy.
Speaking on Wednesday after inspecting progress on the project in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Umahi insisted that the 700-kilometre coastal highway remains firmly on course and will be delivered as scheduled. He rejected claims that the road has been diverted inland to favour private estate owners or that it is not a national priority.
“Those who are attacking the coastal highway, I would say, are doing so out of envy and jealousy because they never believed that this president could do it,” Umahi stated. “The man who tamed the Atlantic Ocean is good. I call him a Divine President. And I want our stakeholders and leaders to watch and see this president realise this coastal highway.”
The Minister specifically addressed recent comments by the Secretary-General of Afenifere, Sola Ebiseni, who had accused the Ministry of Works of diverting the highway away from coastal communities in Ondo State. Umahi described the allegations as “far from being the truth,” explaining that the current alignment is based on sound engineering realities, including soil conditions, rather than any private interests.
He also responded to remarks by former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, who had suggested the project would not extend beyond Lagos or Epe. Umahi respectfully disagreed, noting that the highway was conceived years earlier but could not proceed due to funding and other challenges until the present administration took decisive action.
Umahi highlighted significant progress already achieved: Section One (approximately 7.47 km from Victoria Island to Eleko) has been completed, while other sections are advancing steadily. He reiterated that the project is one of President Tinubu’s key legacy initiatives and will transform transportation, commerce, and economic opportunities along Nigeria’s coastline, particularly for the Niger Delta region.
The Minister urged stakeholders and the public to support the project, stressing that it is a prudent investment designed to unlock long-term national development rather than a wasteful venture.
The Federal Ministry of Works remains committed to transparency, engineering excellence, and timely delivery of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway for the benefit of all Nigerians.