PANDEF Youths Urge Reversal of Lagos-Calabar Highway Diversion

The youth wing of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged the federal government to reverse the decision to divert the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from its original coastal route. This demand follows an announcement by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, regarding the highway's redesign to connect with the East-West Highway through Ondo State into Edo State.

Chief DonBen Donyegha, PANDEF National Youth Leader, criticized the proposed inland rerouting as contrary to the project's original purpose, which aimed to enhance connectivity for coastal communities. He emphasized that diverting the highway would negatively impact oil-producing communities that have long suffered from environmental degradation while contributing to Nigeria's economy.

Donyegha called for the restoration of the highway's original alignment and insisted on transparent consultations with affected communities and stakeholders. He also urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that littoral communities benefit from the project, asserting that the existing East-West Highway should not replace the coastal route.