Ilaje Communities Urge Tinubu to Address Highway Diversion

Coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to President Bola Tinubu for intervention concerning the alleged diversion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from the proposed Ilaje coastal axis. The communities, represented by Ilaje Omuro Community Connect (IOCC), are demanding an independent engineering assessment, a transparent review of the route decision, and an audit of its financial implications.

They have called on the National Assembly and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged route alteration. The group, which comprises over 1,000 members, expressed concerns over explanations provided by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.

They argue that the diversion raises critical issues regarding equitable development and the rights of the Ilaje people to benefit from national infrastructure projects. IOCC cited previous road construction projects in the area to challenge claims against the feasibility of the Ilaje route and requested the publication of relevant studies and assessments to justify the route change.