Lagos-Calabar Highway: Afenifere backs project, urges Ondo coast inclusion

The apex Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has voiced its support for President Bola Tinubu's ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. However, the group is urging the Federal Government to ensure the highway's alignment does not bypass the coastline of Ondo State.

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For the record, and contrary to insinuations that some people do not believe in the project, our people are highly appreciative of the President and this administration for the bold initiative.

Chief Sola Ebiseni, Afenifere's Secretary-General, described the recent visit by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to the Ilaje area of Ondo State as a positive sign of government responsiveness. Ebiseni stated that coastal Yoruba communities are appreciative of the project, believing it will significantly reduce travel time between Lagos and Ondo State. "As a coastal Yoruba tribe, we know our terrain and we have believed in the concept and feasibility of the road from day one. We have looked forward to it with agitated enthusiasm," he said.

Despite this support, Afenifere expressed concern over the highway's current alignment, which appears to bypass Ondo State's approximately 100-kilometer coastline. Minister Umahi reportedly cited "soil challenges peculiar to our environment" as the reason for altering the alignment in Ondo State, despite President Tinubu's directive for the road to run parallel to the Atlantic coast. Ebiseni contested this explanation, asserting that such terrain challenges are neither peculiar nor insurmountable with appropriate engineering solutions.

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As a coastal Yoruba tribe, we know our terrain and we have believed in the concept and feasibility of the road from day one. We have looked forward to it with agitated enthusiasm.

Afenifere pointed to historical and contemporary infrastructure projects, including those by international oil companies operating on similar terrain in the Niger Delta, as evidence that development is feasible. The group reiterated its commitment to supporting the project and the Tinubu administration while insisting on an alignment that benefits Ondo State's coastal communities.

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Of course, we are educated here and most conversant with our environment. These challenges are neither peculiar nor insurmountable.