The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Ministry of Works to review the proposed realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and retain its originally conceptualised route through the Ondo, Escravos–Ogheye–Ugborodo corridor.

Sponsored by Thomas Ereyitomi the resolution followed the adoption of a motion on the need to review the proposed realignment and its implications for coastal communities.

While acknowledging the highway’s importance in strengthening coastal connectivity, facilitating interstate commerce and promoting economic development, lawmakers expressed concern that the proposed changes could undermine these objectives.

Ereyitomi warned that the realignment could bypass riverine communities in Delta State, including the Ogheye–Orere–Ugborodo–Escravos corridor, which hosts the Chevron tank farm, Escravos Gas-to-Liquids Plant and other strategic oil and gas facilities.

He argued that retaining the original coastal route would improve access to these economic hubs, facilitate the movement of personnel and goods, and strengthen the economic benefits of the project.

The lawmaker also called for an assessment of construction costs, environmental consequences and long-term maintenance, noting that engineering solutions such as soil stabilisation, reinforced embankments and elevated viaducts could address difficult terrain.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Ademorin Kuye urged the Minister of Works to review the proposed diversion and construct reinforced coastal feeder roads to reconnect maritime and fishing communities that might be isolated by the changes.

Similarly, Hon. Inombek Abiante lamented that the proposed changes could deny his constituents the benefits of the highway, questioning whether difficult terrain would have been accepted as a barrier if crude oil extraction were involved.
He also demanded that the professor reportedly proposing the realignment appear before the House to explain the technical reasons behind the decision, while calling for broader consultations with affected communities.

Hon. Mark Essiet urged the Ministry of Works to submit the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the House, noting that the document would help lawmakers understand the environmental challenges and proposed mitigation measures.

Consequently, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Works to review the proposed realignment and retain the original Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway route through the Ondo, Escravos–Ogheye–Ugborodo corridor, while ensuring that engineering feasibility, environmental sustainability and the interests of affected coastal communities were adequately addressed.