Submarine Cables: Nigerian Government Abandons Controversial Route in Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project

The federal government has opted to abandon the proposed new route of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from kilometers 16 to 25, choosing instead to revert to the original gazetted alignment. 

This announcement was made by Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during the third stakeholders’ meeting held in Lagos.

The meeting, characterized by extensive discussions and a thorough question-and-answer segment, presented the opportunity for aggrieved members of the public affected by the project to air their concerns. Representatives from telecommunications companies, residents of the Okun Ajah community, and various stakeholders were present to express their concerns and provide feedback.

Umahi explained that the original alignment would necessitate the demolition of 750 houses, compared to 490 houses under the proposed new alignment. This tough decision was influenced by the critical feedback from the affected parties and the broader implications of the project.

Telecom Infrastructure at Risk

Also, the concerns raised by telecommunications companies significantly influenced the decision. A key presentation by the Group CEO of Machine and Equipment Consulting of Africa highlighted the potential risks to crucial telecom infrastructure. The 2Africa submarine cable, a vital connection that links 33 countries and serves approximately three billion people, was at significant risk. This cable, along with the West African Cable Systems (WACS) and a 50-megawatt power plant, are all located in Mopo, directly impacted by the proposed new alignment.

“We have three critical infrastructures located on one spot. The 2Africa submarine cable cuts across 33 countries, connecting about three billion people. That cable landed at Mopo where the West African cable systems (WACS) had already been located about 17 years ago. We also have a mega IPP to provide power to these cables,” the CEO said.

“The corridor is passing right on the submarine cable and the other side is on the IPP. You cannot have the submarine cables without power; they will not function. The submarine cable is a critical national security infrastructure. If it is affected, everybody will be affected.”

He referenced recent subsea cable disruptions that caused significant internet outages across several African countries, pointing out the potential national security risks. 

“Two months ago, there was a challenge as far as Cote d’Ivoire but a significant part of Africa was blanked out. Our appeal today is in view of the fact that this is not just a private project, it’s a national project, it’s the internet gateway to the nation and it’s linked to national security. We are therefore appealing that for this critical infrastructure located at Mopo, that the road be diverted back to the original gazette,” he said.

Community Concerns 

The Okun Ajah community also voiced strong concerns about the potential demolition of their properties, including ancestral homes. The proposed new alignment threatened to uproot the community, sparking widespread concern and discontent.

In response, Umahi announced the government’s decision to revert to the original alignment, bypassing the new route. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have our proposal here and we have the old alignment, the gazetted alignment. To the glory of God, to solve MTN, 2Africa and Okun Ajah community (complaints), we are diverting completely from the new alignment and we are rejoining back to our new alignment at kilometer 25. Congratulations,” Umahi declared, to widespread applause from the assembled stakeholders.

The decision was met with relief and applause from the Okun Ajah community, who had previously expressed their concerns over the potential demolition of their properties, including ancestral homes. The revised alignment – apart from preserving the community’s heritage – also avoids disrupting essential infrastructure, especially submarine communications cables. 

Stakeholders present hailed this decision as an indication of a responsive and adaptive approach by the government to their concerns.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is an ambitious infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity and stimulating economic growth across Nigeria’s coastal regions. However, the project has been fraught with financial controversies, with initial cost estimates of around $11 billion, but critics argue that the actual cost could far exceed this amount, potentially surpassing $20 billion.

The project has also led to significant economic displacement, with numerous businesses and properties being demolished to make way for construction. Notably, the beachfront of private enterprises, including LandMark, a prominent business hub, has been heavily affected. These demolitions have sparked legal battles and public outcry over inadequate compensation and abrupt eviction processes.

The government’s decision to revert to the old alignment, while it reflects a broader approach to infrastructure development that prioritizes technical feasibility, environmental sustainability, and community impact, has been criticized by Nigerians who believe that the approach should have been adopted earlier on to preserve demolished businesses along the route.

However, Umahi made it clear that the decision was not solely due to community pushback but was also a strategic choice influenced by the need to protect essential infrastructure and minimize disruption. He acknowledged President Tinubu’s crucial role in the decision, highlighting the administration’s commitment to responsive governance.

As the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project progresses, the government faces the ongoing challenge of ensuring that development proceeds in a manner that benefits all stakeholders. The revised alignment, which preserves the Okun Ajah community’s heritage and avoids disrupting critical infrastructure, has been hailed as a step in the right direction.

Pushed by the growing criticism surrounding the construction of the Coastal Highway, the House of Representatives, earlier this month, launched an investigation into the procurement process – alleging that due process was not followed and the project did not get the required approval from the National Assembly.

The House was duly criticized for not doing its “checks and balances” job on the project, especially the required Ecomomic Impact Assessment (EIA). Nigerians believe that EIA as “a decision-making tool used to ensure that the potential negative consequences of a project are assessed, considered  and taken into account before the project is approved,” would have prevented all of this.

Despite this development, Umahi said the government’s commitment to this project remains strong, and invited stakeholders to join him in welcoming President Tinubu, who is expected to flag off the coastal road project on Sunday.

Also, the Works Minister, who had, during the second stakeholders meeting, promised to make EIA of the project available – after a journalist asked for it, made a U-turn. He invoked Section 15 (b) of the Freedom of Information Act, which permits withholding information involving third parties. This section allows government institutions to deny access to certain information, a measure that aims to balance transparency with the protection of sensitive data.

Umahi’s current stance on the EIA has been widely interpreted to lend credence to the belief that there was no impact assessment on the project, a situation stakeholders have decried.