Coastal Highway: IYC Urges Tinubu to Retain Original Route

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has urged President Bola Tinubu to retain the original alignment of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, warning that any diversion could exclude four South-South states from the project’s benefits.

The council made the appeal on Thursday during a press conference at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, addressed by its National President, Dr Doubra C. Okotete, and other members of its national executive committee.

The IYC called on Tinubu to direct the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to maintain the original 750-kilometre route, which it said was approved by the Federal Executive Council.

It expressed concern over reports that the highway could be redirected from Ondo State towards the existing East-West Road, potentially affecting the planned route through Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.

The council argued that the Niger Delta should not be excluded from a major federal infrastructure project because of financial constraints or the engineering challenges associated with its coastal terrain.

According to the IYC, the region’s contribution to Nigeria’s oil and gas revenues should be matched by adequate investment in infrastructure and economic development.

To support its position, the council cited several road and bridge projects across the Niger Delta, which it said demonstrated that construction in swampy and difficult terrain was feasible with proper planning and funding.

Among the projects mentioned were the Nembe–Brass Road and the Yenagoa–Oporoma–Ukubie Road in Bayelsa State, as well as the Trans-Kalabari Road in Rivers State.

The council also referenced the Port Harcourt–Okrika Road and Bonny Ring Road projects undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

It offered to sponsor a visit by former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke to inspect selected infrastructure projects in the region.

The IYC further demanded the public release of the approved designs and engineering drawings for the entire coastal highway.

It also called for construction to commence along the Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo axis alongside work on other sections of the project.

The council warned that any change that undermined the South-South’s expected benefits could weaken public confidence in the Federal Government ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, the Minister of Works has maintained that the overall 750-kilometre coastal highway project remains intact, explaining that the government is also pursuing additional reconstruction work on the East-West Road.

The dispute has renewed calls for greater transparency regarding the project’s route, engineering decisions and the communities expected to benefit from the highway.