Diaspora Investors Urge President Tinubu to Act on Environmental Impact Report for Coastal Highway
Lagos, Nigeria – Diaspora investors involved in the Winhomes Global Estate scheme, led by Engr. Mrs. Stella Okengwu, are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Panel report regarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The report, developed by the Federal Ministry of Environment, outlines significant environmental and social concerns related to the project.
During a panel session with stakeholders along the highway corridor, Okengwu expressed concerns about the recent diversion of the highway at Okun Ajah and urged a return to the original alignment established in 2006.
She emphasized that ESIA regulations require an approved assessment to be completed before construction begins—an essential step that was overlooked in this project.
Okengwu warned that this oversight puts a potential $250 million investment from Nigerians in the diaspora at risk.
The panel, chaired by Professor Oladapo Afolabi, a former Head of the Civil Service, has supported stakeholders’ demands to realign the road closer to the ocean, as this would provide better protection for the coastal community against surges.
Other panel members, including Engr. Dr. Musa Emoabino, Prof. Dalhatu Singeri, and Mr. Adedoyin Lasisi identified significant shortcomings in the draft ESIA.
Engr. Dr Emoabino pointed out that the report inadequately explained the rationale for the Okun Ajah diversion and failed to mitigate risks associated with flooding and ocean surges, which have already led to the erosion of local community land.
Both stakeholders and investors are urging the government to reassess the project’s current alignment to ensure community safety and to facilitate essential investments from the diaspora.
