The Building Collapse Prevention Guild has advocated for the extension of the Lagos-Calabar Coast Highway road project from Bar Beach on the Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island, to Badagry.In a statement, the Guild stated that professionals from the BCPG Badagry Cell carried out a preliminary feasibility study along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean spanning from Badagry to Marina on Lagos Island, using a boat.It stated, “Situating the terminus of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by the border town, Badagry, will make a higher developmental and economic impact than the Bar Beach on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.
“After a careful study, members of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild residing or working around the Badagry axis observed that extending the coastal highway to the coastline of Badagry will bring added economic value to the project.”The statement noted that the coastal highway would link directly the proposed Badagry Deep Sea Port with the Tin Can Port, Apapa Port, and Lekki Deep Sea Port, adding that extending the highway to the international border of Badagry would encourage neighbouring countries to establish similar coastal highways that would boost international commercial activities.
“The direct route will increase patronage in the Lekki Free Trade zone, especially the Dangote Refinery and the airport. The highway will promote physical development with concomitant amenities along the rural settlements by the coastline.“Slum growth along the coastline will be eradicated, and the construction of mass housing estates is predicted, “the statement added.
The statement noted that due to the development, neglected buildings along the littoral region would be regenerated, improving the quality of building production and embellishing the landscape with imposing buildings.
It added, “The highway could serve as a protection for buildings that are under threat of ocean surge such as experienced at Bonny (Military Camp) on Victoria Island. Physical development along the Badagry coastline is sparse compared to that of the Lekki coastline. Hence, compensation payments to affected property owners will be significantly reduced.“Finally, in a study of the layout of the proposed route, it is observed that the highway passes through the full coastlines of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.
Hence, Lagos State can also be given a full coastline share of the coastal highway project. Location of the Cross River State coastal highway terminus is also relevant.”In March, the Federal Government started constructing the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, designed to extend through nine states with two spurs leading to the northern states.In the following month, the government established a committee tasked with the responsibilities of reviewing, assessing, and compensating landowners affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Expressway.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said that the committee, comprising members drawn from the ministry, Lagos State, affected communities, and other stakeholders, had primary responsibilities that included verifying the eligibility of claimants, assessing the dimensions of affected properties, and determining the appropriate compensation amounts.
