Photo Caption: On- going Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
The Nigerian government has been called upon to extend the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to Badagry for optimum economic benefit to the country .
It will be recalled that the Federal government last month unveiled the redesigned route for the 700km Lagos to Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Making the call are some members of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Badagry cell.
According to the group , extending the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway to the coastline of Badagry will add economic value to the project.
The highway will connect nine states and commence from the zero point of Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.
The BCPG in a statement issued on Saturday asserted that situating the terminus of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway by the border town, Badagry would make higher developmental and economic impact than the Bar Beach on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.
The group in a statement jointly signed by QS. Ola Coordinator, BCPG Badagry Cell and Secretary, BCPG Badagry Cell, noted that the coastal highway would link directly the proposed Badagry Deep Sea Port with the Tin Can Port, Apapa Port and Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The statement reads in part; “Situating the terminus of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway by the border town, Badagry will make higher developmental and economic impact than the Bar Beach on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.
“After a careful study, members of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild residing or working around Badagry axis observed that extending the coastal highway to the coastline of Badagry will bring added economic value to the project.
“Professionals from the BCPG Badagry Cell carried out a preliminary feasibility study along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean spanning from Badagry to Marina on the Lagos Island, using a boat.
“Hence, the possibility of constructing the highway to Badagry was technically established. Some of the advantages of taking the terminus of the coastal highway to Badagry are adumberated below.
“The coastal highway will link directly the proposed Badagry Deep Sea Port with the Tin Can Port, Apapa Port and Lekki Deep Sea Port.
“Extending the highway to the international border of Badagry will encourage neighbouring countries to establish similar coastal highways that will boost international commercial activities.
“The direct route will increase patronage in the Lekki Free Trade zone, especially the Dangote Refinery and the airport.
“The highway will promote physical development with concomitant amenities along the rural settlements by the coastline.
“Ramshackle buildings along the littoral region will be regenerated, improving the quality of building production and embellishing the landscape with imposing buildings.
“Slum growth along the coastline will be eradicated. Construction of mass housing estates is prognosticated.
“The highway could serve as a protection for buildings that are under threat of ocean surge such as experienced at Bonny ( Military) Camp on the Victoria Island.
“Physical development along Badagry coastline is sparse compared to that of Lekki coastline.
“Hence, compensation payment to affected property owners will be significantly reduced.
“In view of the aforementioned reasons, we hereby appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu to add to the Lagos-Calabar Highway project the stretch traversing from Bar Beach/Eko Atlantic City on Ahmadu Bello Way to Badagry.”
