Aiyedatiwa Presses Tinubu, Umahi to Retain Original Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Alignment — Poroye
OSOPADEC chairman urges federal lawmakers, ministers to support Ondo governor’s push for Ilaje, Ese-Odo inclusion
The Ondo State Government has intensified efforts to secure the inclusion of Ilaje and Ese-Odo coastal communities in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa repeatedly appealing to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Works David Umahi and the project contractor to reconsider the original alignment.
The Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, disclosed this while leading a delegation of state officials and community representatives on a visit to the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele.
Poroye said the governor had consistently engaged relevant authorities on the need to ensure that the coastal highway adequately serves Ondo State’s riverine communities, stressing that the effort should not be undermined by political disagreements or attempts to shift responsibility.
He called on federal ministers, senators and members of the House of Representatives from Ondo State to complement the governor’s interventions by engaging the Federal Government and other stakeholders to secure a favourable outcome for the affected communities.
“The governor has repeatedly appealed to the President, the Minister of Works and Hitech Construction Company to reconsider the alignment to accommodate other sections of the state’s coastline,” Poroye said.
He maintained that the coastal highway was a Federal Government project requiring collective action from all political leaders and stakeholders concerned about the development of Ondo State.
“We must stop the blame game. This is a Federal Government project, not a state government project. It requires a collaborative effort from everyone who has a responsibility to protect the interests of Ondo State,” he said.
Poroye challenged the state’s federal lawmakers and ministers to demonstrate the same commitment expected of the governor, arguing that the future of Ilaje and Ese-Odo should transcend partisan considerations.
He further urged the Federal Government to establish a dedicated intervention fund for the state’s vulnerable coastal communities should the highway’s alignment fail to adequately accommodate them.
According to him, such an intervention should address shoreline protection, waterway dredging, flood control, access roads, livelihood restoration and security challenges confronting the riverine population.
Among the priority roads identified were the Ugbo–Oghoye Road; Akintubuwa–Mahin–Ugbo–Ugbonla Road; proposed Ugbonla–Aiyetoro Road; Agadagba–Obon–Arogbo Road; Araromi–Alape–Agerige–Lagos Road; and Ilutitun–Mahintedo–Itebu-Kunmi–Atijere Road.
The OSOPADEC chairman appealed to Oyedele to facilitate engagement with relevant federal authorities and explore funding opportunities for the proposed projects, citing the Ministry of Finance’s strategic role in the national budget process.
The delegation comprised OSOPADEC management officials, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Environment, Engr. Akin Omotola, representing the commissioner, Dr. Tob Loko, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ugboland Host Communities Development Trust, Sir Benson Obayelu.
Responding on behalf of the minister, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammad Sanusi, assured the delegation that the Federal Government would explore possible areas of intervention in collaboration with OSOPADEC.
He emphasised the importance of sustained engagement with relevant federal agencies in addressing the environmental and infrastructural challenges facing Ondo State’s oil-producing communities.
The renewed appeal underscores the need for coordinated federal and state action to ensure that the development of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road does not leave Ondo’s vulnerable coastal communities behind.
