Review Requested for Environmental Impact Report on Lagos-Calabar Highway Construction

A government panel has called for a revision of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) draft for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, highlighting areas of concern raised by community members.

The Ministry of Works has instructed the construction company handling the highway project, Hitech Construction Company Limited, to repair local roads damaged by its heavy equipment. This decision follows a stakeholder workshop held to discuss the draft ESIA, where community members, particularly from the Okun Ajah area in Lagos, voiced frustrations over the project’s impact on their surroundings.

Residents of Okun Ajah criticized the construction’s impact on their roads and raised concerns about erosion risks due to inadequate shoreline protection. Mrs. Memunah Usman, a local resident, expressed concerns over the damage to roads caused by construction equipment, noting that the resulting erosion was threatening homes.

Another property owner, Yusuf Oyenuga, urged the government to strengthen the shoreline to protect the community from further erosion and flooding, describing the current situation as critical.

The chair of the review panel assured stakeholders that the Ministry of Environment would address their concerns, including the need for clear justification of the road’s current routing through the community. Additionally, a panel member suggested that redirecting the road closer to the ocean could reduce the impact on local areas.

Representatives from the Ministries of Environment and Works promised to relay these concerns to the President, pledging to seek a solution that respects the community’s needs. The construction company has been instructed to start repairs on November 4, with a focus on restoring roads and clearing drainage to prevent further erosion.