By Helen Okechukwu, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE HOUSE of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to preserve the original route of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway through Ondo State and the Escravos-Ogheye-Ugborodo corridor in Delta State, warning that the proposed realignment could deprive coastal communities of access to the project’s economic benefits.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the resolution followed the unanimous adoption of a motion sponsored by Thomas Ereyitomi, who represents Warri North, Warri South and Warri West Federal Constituency in Delta State, during plenary on Wednesday.
Works Minister, David Umahi had announced plans to reroute the highway from Ondo through the existing East-West Road into Edo State.
He cited flooding challenges along the road, particularly around the Ughelli axis in Delta State, as a reason for avoiding a new alignment through the corridor.
Presenting the motion, Ereyitomi argued that the proposed change could undermine the highway’s original connectivity plan and exclude riverine communities from the economic opportunities expected from the project.
Ereyitomi also identified the Ogheye-Orere-Ugborodo-Escravos corridor as a key area that could lose out, noting that it hosts the Chevron tank farm, the Escravos gas-to-liquids plant and other strategic oil and gas infrastructure, including domestic flow stations.
The lawmaker said these facilities contribute significantly to Nigeria’s crude oil exports, foreign exchange earnings, energy supply and national economic development.
He maintained that preserving the original coastal alignment would improve access to these economic centres, ease the movement of personnel, equipment and commercial goods, encourage the development of connecting roads and related infrastructure, and expand the highway’s potential benefits.
Ereyitomi also called for a comprehensive assessment of the costs associated with alternative routes, including additional road distance, bridges, ground improvement, environmental mitigation, compensation, flood resilience and long-term maintenance.
He said specialised engineering options, including soil stabilisation, geosynthetics, piled foundations, reinforced embankments and elevated viaducts, could help address difficult terrain, subject to site-specific technical and environmental assessments.
Contributing to the debate, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a Rivers State lawmaker, criticised the proposed realignment, arguing that it could deny coastal communities the benefits promised by the highway project.
Abiante questioned whether difficult terrain would be used to justify avoiding the same areas if the government were pursuing crude oil extraction there.
He called on Umahi to appear before the House to explain the decision, adding that his constituency had not received an environmental impact assessment for the project.
The lawmaker also expressed doubts about whether the House Committee on Works would adequately investigate the matter. Presiding officer Benjamin Kalu interrupted him and demanded that he withdraw his comment questioning the committee’s competence.
Abiante subsequently clarified that the committee should consider the interests of affected communities and base its recommendations on a clear understanding of the reasons for the proposed realignment.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that Mark Esset, a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom State, proposed that the Ministry of Works submit the highway’s environmental impact assessment to the House.
He said the document would help identify potential environmental challenges and establish measures to address them before construction proceeds.
Ademorin Kuye, a Lagos lawmaker, also proposed constructing reinforced coastal feeder roads to reconnect isolated maritime and fishing communities to the highway wherever the main dual carriageway diverts inland because of deep water pits and unstable terrain.
Unanimously, the House adopted the motion and the accompanying proposals through a voice vote called by Kalu.
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