There was a mild drama on Sunday during a public engagement led by Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, with stakeholders and property owners in Lagos’ Victoria Island, over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project’s impact on local properties.
Umahi, joined by federal lawmakers on a nationwide tour of infrastructure sites, opened the session for questions.
A woman, identifying herself as a supporter of President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections, claimed the coastal road’s path was rerouted through her estate, leading to the demolition of her houses despite valid government permits and documentation.
In response, Umahi accused her of organizing protests to halt the project, a charge the Tinubu supporter denied.
“You have been doing a lot to stop the project. Listen to me, if I get further disturbances from you, there will be consequences for it. We are following the law. You are free to go to court if we are infringing on your rights,” Umahi stated.
When the woman continued to speak after her microphone was taken away, the minister directed, “Security, move her out.”
The woman, visibly upset, responded, “I’m a matron in Tinubu campaign organisation that has over 5,000 members.”
The incident, captured on video, shows Minister Umahi requesting security personnel to escort the woman out as she identified herself with the Tinubu Campaign Organization.
During the session, Umahi also disclosed that some of his own properties had been demolished to make way for road projects in other parts of Nigeria.
“While the case is going on, we plead for your cooperation so that whatever the court says, we will obey. But please, let nobody take laws into his or her hands,” he urged.
The minister continued, “I plead with you if you are offended by me or the ministry, please accept our apology. The coast highway must be on land, and where there are issues like cables, we will do a flyover, or refinery, we will do a flyover.
“In Port Harcourt, my property was also involved in the construction of East-West Road, totally demolished. In Aba, my property was also involved,” he added.
He reiterated that final designs would be produced and stressed that the shoreline remains under federal jurisdiction. “The beachside is not your land; the beachside belongs to the Federal Government,” he said.
The Lagos-Calabar Superhighway, with an estimated cost of around N15 trillion, aims to connect Lagos to Cross River, passing through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states. Although the project has drawn criticism due to its impact on properties and timing, Umahi defended it as being in the best interest of Nigerians.
