He said construction was progressing on several sections of the coastal highway, including stretches in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Ondo states. Meanwhile, surveyors and designers worked on the remaining sections through Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lagos-Calabar highway is moving even faster than envisaged,\u201d Mr Umahi said, adding that the project\u2019s original alignment could not be changed because construction was already ongoing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we have done is also to seek the approval of Mr President to add 400km of the East-West Road, starting from Edo State down to Akwa Ibom and also to Cross River,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The minister\u2019s clarification followed reports<\/a> that Mr Tinubu directed the coastal highway to pass through the existing East-West Road from Ondo into Edo State, rather than follow an entirely new alignment along that stretch.<\/p>\n In a report published on Monday, Mr Umahi was quoted as saying the president directed the government to use the existing road instead of constructing a new alignment.<\/p>\n The apparent distinction between preserving the overall coastal highway project and changing the route through which part of it would pass has become central to the controversy.<\/p>\n Mr Umahi said the East-West Road, which connects communities and economic centres across the Niger Delta, was built below anticipated flood levels and was damaged during recent flooding.<\/p>\n He cited sections around Ughelli in Delta State, where parts of the road were reportedly cut in several places about three weeks earlier, and similar problems in Edo State.<\/p>\n He credited Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori with intervening during the flooding. He said the federal government intended to raise vulnerable portions of the road to address present and anticipated flood levels.<\/p>\n The minister said the reconstruction would extend beyond the portion of the coastal highway already procured between Calabar and Akwa Ibom, providing an additional route through the Niger Delta.<\/p>\n The government has not disclosed the full cost of the additional 400-kilometre project, its financing arrangements, or how it will be integrated financially and contractually with the coastal highway.<\/p>\n Giving an update on construction, Mr Umahi said Section One in Lagos was complete, while Section Two was expected to be ready by mid-November.<\/p>\n He said work was ongoing on Sections 3A and 3B in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, with more than 40 per cent of the work completed. Sections 4A and 4B, covering the Ogun and Ondo axis, were also under construction, he said.<\/p>\n The minister said Section Five, a 62.5-kilometre stretch in Akwa Ibom State, had recorded more than 20 per cent progress despite being less than three months old.<\/p>\n He added that surveyors and designers were working along the remaining corridor through Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.<\/p>\n PREMIUM TIMES has not independently verified the minister\u2019s figures.<\/p>\n The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the major infrastructure projects of the Tinubu administration. It is designed to link Lagos with Calabar, passing through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states before terminating in Cross River State.<\/p>\n The government has presented the project as a major transport and economic corridor intended to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity along Nigeria\u2019s coastline.<\/p>\n The minister\u2019s explanation follows fresh concerns about changes to the project\u2019s route, particularly in Ondo State.<\/p>\n On Sunday, the Ilaje Omuro Community Connect, a group representing people of Ilaje origin, called on the federal government to investigate the reported diversion of the highway away from coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area.<\/p>\n According to a report<\/a> by TheCable, the group demanded an independent engineering assessment, a public explanation of the decision and an audit of its financial implications.<\/p>\n Mr Umahi has defended <\/a>the Ondo route change, saying the original alignment presented difficult engineering conditions and would have required extensive filling. He said the redesign was intended to avoid the difficult terrain and reduce construction challenges.<\/p>\n Since its inception, the coastal highway project has sparked fierce criticism over its contract award, overall cost, property demolitions, compensation payouts, and environmental impact.<\/p>\n![\"PT](\"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Umahi-meets-Tinubu-speaks-on-latest-controversy-around-Lagos-Calabar-highway.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\n![\"Dangote](\"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Umahi-meets-Tinubu-speaks-on-latest-controversy-around-Lagos-Calabar-highway-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\nWhy East-West Road is being added<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Progress on the coastal highway<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Renewed alarm over route changes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
READ ALSO:\u00a0FG has no regrets over Lagos-Calabar coastal highway decisions \u2013 Umahi<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n