Communities Oppose Flooding Risks from Coastal Road Project

Communities represented by the Ibeju Lekki Communities Foundation, including Eleko, Museyo, and Opo Ijebu, raised concerns about potential flooding and displacement due to blocked drainage channels along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. During a meeting on April 4, community leaders, including Chief Adebayo Agbabiaka and Ganiyu Adewal, expressed fears that ongoing construction work could exacerbate flooding, as the drainage system is reportedly only nine to ten meters wide.

They argued that even minor rainfall could lead to catastrophic flooding, urging that the blockage appears to be a deliberate attempt to force residents out. The community unanimously rejected a proposed 150-meter setback along the highway, insisting they have nowhere else to relocate.

They highlighted that they have already surrendered significant land for various development projects, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Dangote Refinery. The community leaders called for assurances regarding waivers for their ancestral homes, emphasizing their unwillingness to vacate their land without adequate compensation.