Homeowners and residents of the Okun Ajah community in the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State have rejected the Federal Government’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report, citing its failure to adequately protect residents amid the construction of the coastal highway.
The residents also criticised the government’s decision to abandon the originally designated route for the coastal road, as planned by the Lagos State Government, in favour of a new route.
Aggrieved residents and homeowners voiced their concerns on Tuesday during a panel review of the draft ESIA for the coastal highway in Lagos, demanding a return to the original alignment.
One of the affected investors, WinHomes Global Estate, had petitioned the House of Representatives to investigate the circumstances surrounding the demolition, asserting that buildings valued at millions of naira and primarily owned by Nigerians in the diaspora were affected.
The Ministry of Environment established the panel, led by Professor Oladapo Afolabi, to review the ESIA report for sections 1 and 2 of the ongoing coastal highway construction.
At the panel workshop, which included participants from the Ministries of Works, Environment, representatives of Hitech, and homeowners, a stakeholder affected by the realignment, Femi Adekoya, questioned the sudden realignment, alleging that it had caused undue hardship for investors, residents, and homeowners.
He said, “I believe the ministry has put the cart before the horse. I was involved in a power project at Olorunsogo, where the ESIA was presented similarly at the Gateway Hotel in Abeokuta, with all stakeholders in attendance.
The preamble of the exercise was presented. Unlike this situation, where engineers arrive on-site and begin to destroy people’s properties, creating chaos, such matters were supposed to have been addressed with all parties agreeing ab initio.
All grievances should have been addressed and resolved. We want the Ministry of Works to explain why actions that should have been taken initially are only being carried out after people’s properties have already been destroyed.”
The Chief Executive Officer of WinHome Property, Stella Okengwu, expressed concerns that if the government failed to adhere to due process, diasporan investors could be discouraged from channelling their resources into the economy.
She said, “When Nigerians in the diaspora invest their money in the economy, they should not be treated this way. Such lawlessness will only discourage them from returning home to invest. We use this coastal alignment to attract investors.
Suddenly, they announced a diversion. The ESIA prohibits public officials or private individuals from proceeding with a project without considering its impact on human life.
When the sudden diversion began, I was in the U.S. I contacted the Ministry of Works, and they advised me to go to the press. I have the conversation saved on my WhatsApp. When we calculated our contributions to Nigeria, it amounted to approximately $250m.
Emphasising the importance of considering the masses in decision-making, another homeowner, Yusuf Oyenuga, urged the government not to prioritise the project at the expense of the people’s well-being.
If Hitech can extend the road from kilometres zero to three into the Atlantic Ocean and from 16 to 17 kilometres into the ocean, then why not block the shoreline to prevent erosion and flooding from devastating the communities? Erosion has already destroyed much of Okun Ajah and other nearby areas.
“We have been begging for an intervention. Now, the opportunity has come. Diversion or no diversion —this is the reality of what the community goes through. This is an opportunity for the government to use one stone to kill two birds. Eko Atlantic has done us a lot of damage in Okun Ajah,” Oyenuga stated.
A lawyer, Olabisi Akin-Arogunmati, who claimed that three of her properties had been destroyed, suggested that the abrupt diversion might have been made to serve certain interests. She urged the panel to ensure its decisions reflect the equality of all Nigerians.
She stated, “Somebody is seriously affected on three different properties in three different areas. All the houses were demolished and destroyed. A lot of estates have been affected. Monies have been collected from investors for property with layout plans and development, and there’s nothing to show for it.”
Responding to the concerns raised by homeowners, Olufemi Dare, representing the Minister of Works, David Umahi, assured stakeholders that their submissions would be presented to the minister after the session.
We have carefully listened to all the stakeholders and their comments. The alignment concerns, particularly the Okun Ajah issue, have been duly noted.
The honourable minister is aware of the Okun Ajah issue and has visited the area no fewer than three times. We will ensure that all stakeholder concerns are communicated to the minister,” Dare assured the homeowners.
The construction of the Calabar Highway’s first phase, covering 47.7 km in Lagos State and beginning at Ahmadu Bello Way, officially commenced in March 2024.
According to the federal government, the entire 700-kilometre highway is expected to be completed in eight years, with multiple sections beginning simultaneously once procurement, approvals, and other necessary procedures are completed
