PANDEF flays Lagos-Calabar highway diversion – Daily Trust

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has rejected the federal authorities’s resolution to divert the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway from its unique coastal alignment to the present East-West Road by means of Ondo and Edo states.
The group, nevertheless, demanded a return to the unique coastal alignment.
Addressing journalists in Benin on Tuesday, PANDEF National Youth Leader, DonBen Donyegha, described the federal authorities resolution as a betrayal of the venture’s objective and the coastal oil-bearing communities whose assets contribute considerably to Nigeria’s economic system.
The federal authorities had attributed the diversion to tough terrain, deep pits and building prices in components of Ogun and Ondo states.
He, nevertheless, argued that the choice would exclude a number of communities initially anticipated to learn from the coastal highway.
He stated the venture was conceived to attach Lagos by means of the littoral states and Niger Delta communities to Calabar, offering improved connectivity for communities which have endured many years of environmental air pollution, gasoline flaring and underdevelopment arising from oil exploration.
According to him, the engineering challenges shouldn’t be used as an excuse to disclaim the area essential infrastructure.
Donyegha warned that diverting the route would deepen the sensation of exclusion amongst Niger Delta communities.
He referred to as for clear consultations with host communities, state governments and regional stakeholders, in addition to public affirmation that each one littoral oil-bearing communities initially meant to learn from the venture would nonetheless be served by an acceptable coastal route.