Itsekiri, Ilaje Reject Coastal Highway Rerouting, Cite Higher Cost, Longer Distance

Leaders of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality in Delta State and Ilaje communities in Ondo State have rejected the rerouting of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to the hinterland, arguing that the proposed alternative route would be longer and more expensive.

The communities, in a joint statement issued and signed by Barrister Austin Oboroegbeyi, Dr Benson Enikuomehin, Comrade Amaechi Omagbitse and Dr Adeolu Efotan, also called for the federal government to return the project to its original coastal alignment.

The leaders faulted the explanation attributed to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, that constructing the highway through the coastal communities would be too expensive.

They described the claim as inaccurate and said available figures, according to their assessment, showed that the alternative hinterland route could cost more.

The communities said their stakeholders had examined the proposed alignments and resolved to work together to ensure that the highway retained its original route through the coastal communities.

According to the statement, construction of a kilometre along the coastal route covering the Ilaje communities in Ondo State and Itsekiri communities in Delta State was estimated by the groups at between ₦4 billion and ₦7.5 billion.

They, however, estimated the cost of the rerouted alignment through the hinterland at between ₦7.5 billion and ₦12 billion per kilometre.

The communities also claimed that the original route from Olosunmeta to the Itsekiri axis in Delta State would cover between 100 and 110 kilometres, while the alternative route would extend the distance to between 170 and 190 kilometres.

They argued that the longer route would increase both the length and overall cost of the project.

“The new route is swampy, full of bridges, and has very difficult terrain, as against the straight road from Olosunmeta through Araromi, Abe-Oroyo, Ogogoro, Ugbonla, Apata, Awoye, Ugbege, Oghoye, Orere, Agogboro, Ode-Ugborodo, etc., through the entire coastline of Delta State,” the statement said.

The leaders also accused the Works Ministry of diverting the project away from the coastal communities contrary to what they described as the original vision of the federal government for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

They said the Itsekiri and Ilaje communities had resolved to jointly engage the federal government and other relevant authorities over the matter.

As part of the resolution, the communities said they would establish a tactical committee comprising representatives of the two ethnic nationalities.

The committee, they said, would make representations to the federal government and appeal for the retention of the coastal alignment.

It would also mobilise traditional rulers, youths, women, professionals and other stakeholders in the affected communities to participate in the campaign for the restoration of the original route.

The communities further said the committee would explore legal options where necessary to seek what they described as justice, equity and fairness.

They added that an all-inclusive memorandum would be prepared with inputs from traditional institutions, religious leaders, market women, opinion leaders and other stakeholders in the Ilaje and Itsekiri areas of the Niger Delta.

The memorandum, they said, would be submitted to relevant authorities to state their case for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to remain along the coastal corridors of Ondo and Delta states.