The Federal Government’s management of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has drawn criticism from prominent businessman Atedo Peterside. Peterside’s remarks followed the government’s decision to scrap the intended detour and go back to the highway’s original course. This choice was made after houses along the suggested replacement route were demolished, a move that infuriated many people.
Due to the existence of submarine cables along the shoreline, the government will no longer pursue the diversion, according to Minister of Works Dave Umahi, during the Third Stakeholders Meeting in Lagos. This discovery has caused the highway’s alignment to be reexamined, much to the chagrin of the impacted businesses and property owners.
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The President and Founder of the Anap Foundation and Anap Jets, as well as the Founder of the Stanbic IBTC Bank, Peterside, expressed his disappointment on Twitter. He underlined that before making decisions that have an impact on people’s lives and property, thorough Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and public hearings are crucial.
“Dear @DaveUmahi,” Peterside tweeted. “This is precisely why a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should have been carried out, along with some sort of public hearing that would have given affected persons a voice. Unless I am mistaken, it appears that the Federal Government has destroyed properties along a new chosen path for the new Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, only to realize now that sticking to the original path makes so much more sense?”
Many people are frustrated with the government’s actions, believing them to be hurried and ill-considered. Peterside’s tweet captures this discontent. In order to prevent such problems, he implored the government to treat environmental impact assessments (EIAs) seriously in future projects.
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The highway’s original design called for a realignment that would have moved the route inland and away from the coastal undersea cables. But as a result of this choice, coastal buildings were demolished, even ones owned by private companies like LandMark. The owners have had severe emotional and financial consequences as a result of the demolition of these properties.
Umahi acknowledged the difficulties caused by the submarine cables during the stakeholders’ conference and said the government is currently looking into alternate routes for the roadway. The Minister gave attendees the assurance that the project will continue, albeit with a revised plan.
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