THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY: TRANSFORMING NIGERIA’S INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMY

The Lagos-Calabar coastal road project is a major infrastructure designed to improve transportation networks along the southern coastline, stretching from Lagos through the eight coastal states all the way to Cross River. This project entails building a contemporary road covering around 700 kilometers, which will connect Lagos to Calabar while also establishing connections between significant urban areas, industrial centers, and seaports along the southern coast. The route commences from Lagos and the Lekki Deep Seaport, and runs through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom. The goal of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project is to improve transportation infrastructure along the southern coastline, spanning from Lagos through eight coastal states all the way to Cross River.

The concept of a significant coastal federal road in Nigeria was initially proposed in 1955 by the former Federal Commissioner of Finance, late Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh. Okotie-Eboh suggested establishing a system of rail and road connections from Lokoja through Benin City, Koko, Warri, and Onitsha to facilitate the transportation of goods. He specifically proposed the Koko-Ogheye-Epe dual carriageway project, intending to span Delta and Ondo states and terminate at Epe in Lagos. This road was designed to follow the coastal areas of Delta and Ondo states, reducing travel distance between Lagos and the Niger Delta region as well as the rest of the Eastern region. However, the project didn't commence during the first Republic.

During Olusegun Obasanjo's presidency, construction began on a modified version of the coastal road from Warri in Delta State to Calabar, known as the East-West Road. Subsequently, in 2010, during President Goodluck Jonathan's administration, the Koko-Ogheye-Epe road was also awarded to Levant Construction Ltd. by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Concurrently, the Lagos State government, under then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was independently planning a coastal road spanning the Lekki-Epe axis, envisioned as a major economic frontier for Lagos and Nigeria. Thirteen years later, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu then integrated his Lagos coastal road vision with Okotie-Eboh’s Koko-Ogheye-Epe coastal road vision and the concept behind the East-West road, resulting in the variant of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road currently in progress.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, unveiled the plan for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway on 23rd September, 2023. He stated that the highway's construction would occur in phases, with each finished section becoming operational for use and toll collection. The planned route will establish connections between the Lagos-Badagry Expressway superhighway, the Fourth Mainland Bridge, Lekki Deep Sea Port Road, and multiple locations in Northern Nigeria through Ogoja-Ikom. The project will additionally incorporate railway tracks situated within the central lanes of the main roadways.

In April, the Minister of Works, Minister Umahi mentioned that the estimated cost of the coastal road project would be around N15.356 trillion and that the project's timeline for completion is set at eight years. The first phase of the coastal road project, covering 47.47 kilometers and featuring five lanes on either side along with a central train track, will be constructed as part of a N1.06 trillion contract that has been authorized by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). This project represents a crucial infrastructure investment for the country.

The commencement of this project has sparked various reactions across social media especially regarding transparency in the selection of the approved contractor, Hitech Construction Company, the actual cost of constructing the highway, the demolition of the famous Landmark Beach and the cost to benefit analysis of the project. The aim of this article is to explore the socio-economic benefits of the project and the social impact of the project.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY

Road travel is crucial for tourism as it provides access to tourist destinations. The connection between transport infrastructure and tourism is strong, as they complement each other and contribute significantly to the economy. Enhanced road and transport infrastructure directly contribute to the development of tourism in the area.

The promotion of self-driving tourism is often regarded as a way to boost economic development in rural and regional areas. Improving the tourism appeal of an area typically involves investing in standout attractions, services, and infrastructure such as roads. However, assessing potential investments requires an analysis of the benefits, which involves a prediction of future use.

The following are potential benefits of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway:

* Contribution to the economy: Economic experts have indicated that completing just the initial phase of the project could potentially boost the Lagos State economy by 50%. This growth would primarily stem from the project's link to the Lekki Deep Seaport and the Lekki economic corridor, home to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, as well as several other multinational industries. The Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang stated that the coastal highway will significantly impact Cross River's socio-economic landscape, acting as a catalyst for the region's development. He also mentioned that it will amplify the value of Cross River’s abundant agricultural output and enhance the profitability of local farmers.

* Promotion of inter-state trade: The coastal highway will bring substantial advantages to businesses engaged in interstate transportation of goods. This increased efficiency will not just lower expenses but also create opportunities in new markets, encouraging economic diversity and expansion. The coastal highway will boost trade among the coastal states and other parts of the country.

* Ease of Travel: The coastal highway has the potential to significantly reduce travel time across the states. The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi noted that the road will allow people to travel with ease. According to him, the travel time from the South-East to Abuja will be a maximum of five hours and traveling from Lagos to Sokoto should take about ten hours.

* Promotion of Tourism: The coastal highway, once completed, has the potential to promote tourism in Nigeria. The Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang stated that the road when completed, will increase tourism traffic to unique tourism sites in the state by attracting an unprecedented number of tourists due to the excitement associated with road travel.

* Job Creation: The upcoming highway project is anticipated to create job opportunities for residents residing in the regions it passes through, as well as for workers in the construction sector and various suppliers associated with the project.

CONCERNS EXPRESSED REGARDING THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY

A section of Landmark Beach located on Victoria Island, Lagos, was demolished to facilitate the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which stands as Nigeria’s largest public infrastructure undertaking. Despite concerns raised by citizens regarding potential job losses and impacts on livelihoods, the demolition proceeded as planned. In defense of the demolition, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi highlighted the necessity of the action, citing that the Landmark Beach center was situated within the Federal Government’s Right-of-Way.

Paul Onwuanibe, the owner of Landmark, previously urged the government to revert the construction of the coastal road to its initial alignment, before its relocation to the beachfront area. He argued that sticking to the original plan would not only preserve businesses at risk of destruction due to the revised route but also result in cost and labor savings for the government.

Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), criticized the Federal Government regarding the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. He alleged that the demolition of tourist facilities to accommodate the highway is a significant reason for Nigeria's inadequate foreign direct investments. The former Vice President opposed the government's actions, particularly highlighting the absence of adequate notification regarding the demolition of tourist spots, recreational facilities, and other properties within the Oniru corridor, including parts of Landmark in Lagos State, for the construction of the coastal highway. Atiku pointed out that investors were closely watching how local businesses were being treated and would steer clear of regions where their investments weren't safeguarded.

Additionally, telecommunication companies have raised concerns about potential connectivity disruptions as the construction progresses on the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway corridor is essential as it serves as a critical landing point for several submarine cables linking Nigeria with Europe. Acknowledging the anticipated impact of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar construction project on their uplink facilities, the owner of DStv and GOtv voiced concerns. Telecommunication companies emphasized the critical role of telecommunication services and the potential impact of technical disruptions.

Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), stated that the Ministry of Works had not yet involved telcos in the environmental impact assessment process. He mentioned that although the Ministry of Works, under David Umahi's leadership, had engaged various stakeholders, telecom operators were excluded from these discussions.

A stakeholder meeting for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was only organized after the project had commenced. It seems that the perspectives and worries of stakeholders, as well as the possible environmental consequences of the project, were not considered by the Government. This is worrisome considering the growing significance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in project financing and investment choices today. Globally, there are significant apprehensions about the effects of rising sea levels, erosion, and climate change on coastal cities. Some reports indicate that Lagos is especially vulnerable to the impact of rising sea levels.

While recognizing the potential advantages of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, Peter Obi expressed concerns about the timing and prioritization of such a monumental venture. He questioned the rationale behind initiating another large-scale project that might not be finished for the next two or three decades. He cautioned against worsening the issue of abandoned and unfinished projects that fail to contribute to economic development.

CONCLUSION

While the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway presents significant advantages for Nigeria's infrastructure and economy, concerns voiced by citizens regarding the environmental impact, social equity, and financial sustainability of the project must be adequately addressed by the government. Transparent engagement, robust environmental mitigation measures, and sustainable funding mechanisms are essential to build trust and ensure that the project's potential benefits are realized without compromising the well-being of stakeholders. By addressing these concerns, the government can foster confidence in the project and pave the way for its successful implementation and long-term impact.