Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi. has urged Nigerians to ignore comments that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was wasteful and corrupt.

Umahi stated this during his working visit to Ondo State for a 2nd interactive session on the Ondo State axis of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. 

The meeting, which was held at the Government House in Akure, followed the first stakeholders’ meeting on the project, which was held on October 31, 2024.

According to the Minister, “This Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of Mr. President’s four legacy projects.”

Umahi asked those criticising the project and President Bola Tinubu’s other legacy projects not to pass through the roads when they are completed.

The minister, who insisted that the project was transparent, noted that people have the right to be jealous and angry.

While reminding Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to issue a revocation order on the route in line with the laws of the land, The Works Minister said the alignment reduced the route from 75km to 71km.

However, he informed Ondo residents that President Tinubu was determined to complete all inherited projects and his administration’s four legacy projects.

According to him, “The man deserves our respect. I have not read the book, but the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is not wasteful and corrupt. Anyone criticising the project is waking up to say how one man (Tinubu) can be attributed to these types of projects.

“For those saying it is a waste of resources when the project is completed, they should not use the road.

“This is not a wasteful project, and it is not fraudulent. If someone is saying it’s a fraud, that person is also saying that I am a fraud, and I am not.

“This project has been very transparent, so we continue to engage the stakeholders. Every process step has been very transparent, and every detail is in the public domain.”

Speaking on other federal government projects in Ondo State, Engr. Umahi said they were looking into the issue of compensation so that the contract would not be stalled.

He said dualisation of the Ilesha-Akure-Benib Highway was stalled by funding but assured that the contractor was bound to make the road motorable.

The Minister, however, commended the government and people of the State for their support of the project, adding that all the necessary steps for its execution have been taken.

While commending Governor Aiyedatiwa for his keen interest in the state’s infrastructural development, Umahi promised that all Federal road projects in the State would be executed quickly.

A former Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Banjo Okunomo, said the coastal communities would not allow any sentiments to delay the projects.

He assured that the community leadership would ensure easy implementation of the project.