Protesters Defy Rain, Ask Tinubu To Stop Planned Diversion Of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

Residents of Okun Ajah community in Lagos State defied heavy rainfall to protest against the proposed diversion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Organized in front of the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters, the protesters expressed serious concerns over the potential adverse impacts of the diversion on their community. They called upon President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to investigate the plans, accusing Minister of Works David Umahi of showing favoritism in his decision-making process.

The protest was marked by residents brandishing placards with messages denouncing what they perceive as illegal construction and urging adherence to the originally planned road path set in 2006. They voiced frustrations over promises made during stakeholder meetings, where Umahi allegedly assured them that the old gazetted alignment from 2006 would be respected. The protesters accused some affluent individuals of illegally constructing buildings along the designated coastal road path and influencing workers to mark their properties instead.

The Akogun of Okun Ajah, Saeed Olukosi, emphasized the injustice felt by the community due to the sudden change in construction plans. He underscored the importance of their peaceful protest in notifying authorities about these developments and urged for justice to be served according to the law and promises made by the administration.

Bolanle Olugbani, legal counsel representing the residents, reiterated the community’s adherence to legal regulations, contrasting it with alleged violations committed by influential figures buying properties along the road alignment. She emphasized that Lagos State had gazetted regulations prohibiting construction along the coastal road and insisted that Umahi should adhere strictly to the law and his prior commitments.

In response to the protest, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Comptroller of Works in Lagos, assured the protesters that Umahi was receptive to their concerns and planned to address them directly. She highlighted Umahi’s willingness to engage with the community and reiterated his commitment to respecting the old alignment as promised.

The protest reflects broader frustrations within the Okun Ajah community regarding perceived injustices and broken promises related to the coastal highway project. It underscores the community’s determination to safeguard their rights and property against what they view as arbitrary decision-making and illegal activities by influential individuals.

Overall, the protest serves as a call for transparency, adherence to the rule of law, and accountability in infrastructure development projects, emphasizing the need for government officials to uphold commitments made to communities affected by such initiatives.