The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has defended the Federal Government’s decision to realign the Ondo State section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, stating that the ministry has no regrets and acted based on sound engineering assessments
The minister said the original route crossed terrain with pits more than 100 metres deep and would have significantly increased construction costs.
Umahi spoke in Abuja while providing an update on President Bola Tinubu’s four legacy road projects.
He insisted that the diversion was based on engineering considerations and the need to ensure value for public funds.
The minister said he was aware of petitions accusing him of diverting the route in Ondo State but maintained that the decision was justified.
“I am aware of petitions against me saying I diverted the Ondo section. I welcome that.
“That is how it is supposed to be because we are serving the public. You are subject to public scrutiny.
“But the important thing is whether you are doing the right thing or the wrong thing.
“We have no regret for decisions taken in Ondo,” he said.
According to him, the original alignment passed through terrain with pits exceeding 100 metres in depth and lacked suitable sharp sand for up to 300 metres, making construction along the corridor considerably more expensive.
“You want me to pass through a terrain that you have over 100 metres of pits deep, and I have no defined sharp sand to 300 metres, and you expect the cost of one kilometre to be the same cost with a road passing through normal terrain?” he asked.
Umahi said the ministry consequently undertook a detour and redesign to avoid the difficult terrain.
“We had to take a very serious engineering decision by making a detour, redesigning it to avoid such route.
“We are doing filling of over 10 metres, which is 30 feet plus, with sharp sand, and filling is almost concluded,” the minister said.
Thefrontrank reports that the diversion affects Sections 4A and 4B of the coastal highway, covering 67 kilometres, comprising 27 kilometres in Ogun State and about 40 kilometres in Ondo State.
The section will terminate around the Ondo-Edo axis.
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