A committee of lawyers and stakeholders from Ilaje communities in Ondo State has asked the Federal Government to restore the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to its original coastal alignment through the state, alleging that the current route has bypassed several coastal communities and diverted the project inland through Edo State.An Attorney-at-Law, Dr Benson Enikuomehin, who spoke on behalf of the group at a press conference in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, on Thursday, urged the Federal Ministry of Works to adhere to what he described as the original coastal alignment of the project.The demand followed concerns raised by Afenifere in August over the alleged abandonment of parts of the Ondo coastal communities.Responding to the concerns at the time, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the Federal Government preferred to construct the road along the coast but noted that engineering considerations could affect the alignment.Umahi said, “The coastal highway, we know, our preference is to go along the coast. But engineering is very dynamic. When we designed the coastal highway within this section, yes, we designed it to go through the coast, just about two kilometres off the shoreline.”However, Enikuomehin alleged on Thursday that the current alignment had deviated substantially from the original plan, particularly in Ondo State.He said the highway followed the coast through Lagos and moved only about 2- 3 km inland in Ogun State to accommodate developments mapped out by the state government.According to him, the dispute between Ogun and Ondo states over Eba Island did not affect the status of Irokun community, which he said was firmly within Ondo State.He said, “It is a known fact that of all the coastal states in Nigeria, Ondo State unarguably has the longest coastline of about 80- 100 km. It is, therefore, reasonable that the Coastal Highway will pass through the coastline communities of Ondo State before getting to Delta State and on through the other states to Calabar.“It is, however, very shocking that the concept of the Coastal Highway has now been bastardised and balkanised by the Ministry of Works. More than 60 per cent of the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have now been bypassed and sidelined.”Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. An Attorney-at-Law, Dr Benson Enikuomehin, who spoke on behalf of the group at a press conference in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, on Thursday, urged the Federal Ministry of Works to adhere to what he described as the original coastal alignment of the project.The demand followed concerns raised by Afenifere in August over the alleged abandonment of parts of the Ondo coastal communities.Responding to the concerns at the time, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the Federal Government preferred to construct the road along the coast but noted that engineering considerations could affect the alignment.Umahi said, “The coastal highway, we know, our preference is to go along the coast. But engineering is very dynamic. When we designed the coastal highway within this section, yes, we designed it to go through the coast, just about two kilometres off the shoreline.”However, Enikuomehin alleged on Thursday that the current alignment had deviated substantially from the original plan, particularly in Ondo State.He said the highway followed the coast through Lagos and moved only about 2- 3 km inland in Ogun State to accommodate developments mapped out by the state government.According to him, the dispute between Ogun and Ondo states over Eba Island did not affect the status of Irokun community, which he said was firmly within Ondo State.He said, “It is a known fact that of all the coastal states in Nigeria, Ondo State unarguably has the longest coastline of about 80- 100 km. It is, therefore, reasonable that the Coastal Highway will pass through the coastline communities of Ondo State before getting to Delta State and on through the other states to Calabar.“It is, however, very shocking that the concept of the Coastal Highway has now been bastardised and balkanised by the Ministry of Works. More than 60 per cent of the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have now been bypassed and sidelined.”Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. The demand followed concerns raised by Afenifere in August over the alleged abandonment of parts of the Ondo coastal communities.Responding to the concerns at the time, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the Federal Government preferred to construct the road along the coast but noted that engineering considerations could affect the alignment.Umahi said, “The coastal highway, we know, our preference is to go along the coast. But engineering is very dynamic. When we designed the coastal highway within this section, yes, we designed it to go through the coast, just about two kilometres off the shoreline.”However, Enikuomehin alleged on Thursday that the current alignment had deviated substantially from the original plan, particularly in Ondo State.He said the highway followed the coast through Lagos and moved only about 2- 3 km inland in Ogun State to accommodate developments mapped out by the state government.According to him, the dispute between Ogun and Ondo states over Eba Island did not affect the status of Irokun community, which he said was firmly within Ondo State.He said, “It is a known fact that of all the coastal states in Nigeria, Ondo State unarguably has the longest coastline of about 80- 100 km. It is, therefore, reasonable that the Coastal Highway will pass through the coastline communities of Ondo State before getting to Delta State and on through the other states to Calabar.“It is, however, very shocking that the concept of the Coastal Highway has now been bastardised and balkanised by the Ministry of Works. More than 60 per cent of the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have now been bypassed and sidelined.”Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. Responding to the concerns at the time, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the Federal Government preferred to construct the road along the coast but noted that engineering considerations could affect the alignment.Umahi said, “The coastal highway, we know, our preference is to go along the coast. But engineering is very dynamic. When we designed the coastal highway within this section, yes, we designed it to go through the coast, just about two kilometres off the shoreline.”However, Enikuomehin alleged on Thursday that the current alignment had deviated substantially from the original plan, particularly in Ondo State.He said the highway followed the coast through Lagos and moved only about 2- 3 km inland in Ogun State to accommodate developments mapped out by the state government.According to him, the dispute between Ogun and Ondo states over Eba Island did not affect the status of Irokun community, which he said was firmly within Ondo State.He said, “It is a known fact that of all the coastal states in Nigeria, Ondo State unarguably has the longest coastline of about 80- 100 km. It is, therefore, reasonable that the Coastal Highway will pass through the coastline communities of Ondo State before getting to Delta State and on through the other states to Calabar.“It is, however, very shocking that the concept of the Coastal Highway has now been bastardised and balkanised by the Ministry of Works. More than 60 per cent of the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have now been bypassed and sidelined.”Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. Umahi said, “The coastal highway, we know, our preference is to go along the coast. But engineering is very dynamic. When we designed the coastal highway within this section, yes, we designed it to go through the coast, just about two kilometres off the shoreline.”However, Enikuomehin alleged on Thursday that the current alignment had deviated substantially from the original plan, particularly in Ondo State.He said the highway followed the coast through Lagos and moved only about 2- 3 km inland in Ogun State to accommodate developments mapped out by the state government.According to him, the dispute between Ogun and Ondo states over Eba Island did not affect the status of Irokun community, which he said was firmly within Ondo State.He said, “It is a known fact that of all the coastal states in Nigeria, Ondo State unarguably has the longest coastline of about 80- 100 km. It is, therefore, reasonable that the Coastal Highway will pass through the coastline communities of Ondo State before getting to Delta State and on through the other states to Calabar.“It is, however, very shocking that the concept of the Coastal Highway has now been bastardised and balkanised by the Ministry of Works. More than 60 per cent of the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have now been bypassed and sidelined.”Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. However, Enikuomehin alleged on Thursday that the current alignment had deviated substantially from the original plan, particularly in Ondo State.He said the highway followed the coast through Lagos and moved only about 2- 3 km inland in Ogun State to accommodate developments mapped out by the state government.According to him, the dispute between Ogun and Ondo states over Eba Island did not affect the status of Irokun community, which he said was firmly within Ondo State.He said, “It is a known fact that of all the coastal states in Nigeria, Ondo State unarguably has the longest coastline of about 80- 100 km. It is, therefore, reasonable that the Coastal Highway will pass through the coastline communities of Ondo State before getting to Delta State and on through the other states to Calabar.“It is, however, very shocking that the concept of the Coastal Highway has now been bastardised and balkanised by the Ministry of Works. More than 60 per cent of the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have now been bypassed and sidelined.”Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He said the highway followed the coast through Lagos and moved only about 2- 3 km inland in Ogun State to accommodate developments mapped out by the state government.According to him, the dispute between Ogun and Ondo states over Eba Island did not affect the status of Irokun community, which he said was firmly within Ondo State.He said, “It is a known fact that of all the coastal states in Nigeria, Ondo State unarguably has the longest coastline of about 80- 100 km. It is, therefore, reasonable that the Coastal Highway will pass through the coastline communities of Ondo State before getting to Delta State and on through the other states to Calabar.“It is, however, very shocking that the concept of the Coastal Highway has now been bastardised and balkanised by the Ministry of Works. More than 60 per cent of the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have now been bypassed and sidelined.”Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. According to him, the dispute between Ogun and Ondo states over Eba Island did not affect the status of Irokun community, which he said was firmly within Ondo State.He said, “It is a known fact that of all the coastal states in Nigeria, Ondo State unarguably has the longest coastline of about 80- 100 km. It is, therefore, reasonable that the Coastal Highway will pass through the coastline communities of Ondo State before getting to Delta State and on through the other states to Calabar.“It is, however, very shocking that the concept of the Coastal Highway has now been bastardised and balkanised by the Ministry of Works. More than 60 per cent of the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have now been bypassed and sidelined.”Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He said, “It is a known fact that of all the coastal states in Nigeria, Ondo State unarguably has the longest coastline of about 80- 100 km. It is, therefore, reasonable that the Coastal Highway will pass through the coastline communities of Ondo State before getting to Delta State and on through the other states to Calabar.“It is, however, very shocking that the concept of the Coastal Highway has now been bastardised and balkanised by the Ministry of Works. More than 60 per cent of the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have now been bypassed and sidelined.”Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. “It is, however, very shocking that the concept of the Coastal Highway has now been bastardised and balkanised by the Ministry of Works. More than 60 per cent of the coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have now been bypassed and sidelined.”Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. Enikuomehin alleged that the highway had effectively become an inland route in the Ondo section, passing through Oke-Upare to communities in Ovia North and Ovia West Local Government Areas of Edo State.“Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. “Available records and data reveal that the coastal road has now assumed a new name as ‘Inland Highway Road’ when it comes to the Ondo State communities. This is courtesy of the Minister of Works and his Ministry,” he alleged.He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He added that the route passed through Oke-Upare in Ondo State to link communities in Ovia North and Ovia West in Edo State, including Gelegele, which he said was about 10-20km from the coastline.Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. Enikuomehin further alleged that several Ilaje communities included in the initial alignment had been excluded from the project.He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He listed the affected communities as Ugbonla, Ilowo, Ilepete, Obe-Enikanoselu, Obe-Rewoye, Ikorigho, Jinrinwo, Awoye and Igho.“The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. “The injustice and the orchestrated marginalisation against the Ilaje people began when an additional 100km was added to the initial 700km, bringing the distance to 800km, to accommodate Edo State at all costs in the Coastal Highway. All the initial drawings and mappings of the road have been jettisoned,” he alleged.The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. The lawyer argued that the project was specifically conceived as a coastal highway and should not be diverted to areas that do not lie along the coastline.He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He said, “The highway from Lagos to Calabar is meant for the coast. It is not a Niger Delta Affairs project; it is a Coastal Road. Any state that does not fall within the coast in Nigeria will not be considered.”Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. Enikuomehin also disputed the alleged argument by the Federal Ministry of Works that constructing the road through the Ilaje communities would be more expensive because of the difficult terrain.Related NewsFG, manufacturers raise $380m for industrial devtHerbal drinks: Ondo death toll rises to 27 as govt begins crackdownFG begins free education data access Oct. 1He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He claimed that a direct route from Ugbonla in Ondo State to Escravos in Delta State would cover about 60-75km, while the inland detour through Ebute-Ipare, Ovia North, Ovia West and Gelegele in Edo State to Warri would cover about 130-150km.He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He said the estimated construction cost of the coastal route was also lower than that of the inland alignment.“While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. “While the cost of building 1km of road on the axis of Ugbonla through the coastal communities to Escravos will cost N4bn to N7.5bn per km, that of constructing the same in severe swampy terrain with massive bridges through Oke-Upare to Gelegele in Edo to Warri will cost N7.5bn to N12bn per km,” he said.According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. According to him, the estimated cost of the route through Ugbonla was between N240bn and N450bn, compared with N970bn to N1.5tn for the detour through Edo State.Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. Enikuomehin further argued that the longer inland alignment undermined the purpose of the project.He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He said, “While the alignment from Ugbonla in Ondo to Escravos in Delta is straightforward and aligns with the concept of ‘Coastal Highway’, the detour to Edo State is volatile, eroding immediate shoreline and rendering the concept of coastline a mirage.”He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He cited the Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 as evidence that roads could be constructed in the difficult terrain of the Ilaje area.“It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. “It is on record that in 2010 the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded the construction of Ugbo-Oghoye Road Phase 1 spanning 40km. The cost then was N19.4bn.“The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. “The Bureau of Public Procurement, in its certificate dated August 13, 2010, referenced BPP/S.1/Vol.VI/O9/222, gave a certificate of no objection for the award of the project,” he said.Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. Enikuomehin argued that the Federal Government should therefore explain why it could not construct the coastal highway through the Ilaje communities.He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He said the group was not opposed to Edo State benefiting from the project but insisted that the highway should retain its coastal alignment through Ondo State.“Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. “Diverting the road therefore to Edo State is a calculated attempt to marginalise and victimise the coastal communities of Ondo State. While we are not opposed to Edo State benefiting from this project, we strongly maintain that the road must remain coastal through Ondo State, passing through Ilaje communities on the coast,” he said.The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. The lawyer also alleged that the diversion amounted to discrimination against the Ilaje people, citing Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.“It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. “It is our view that the action embarked upon by the minister is contrary to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which forbids the discrimination of a people in respect of their ethnic group, place of origin, etc.“We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. “We perceive that the Ilaje communities are being discriminated against to satisfy a particular ethnic group in Edo State,” he alleged.Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. Enikuomehin called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and review the alignment of the highway in Ondo State.He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. He said, “We plead with Mr President passionately to look into the plight of our people in the Ilaje coastal communities of Ondo State and redress this monumental injustice.”The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been the subject of controversy since construction commenced, with concerns raised over issues including legislative approval, environmental impact assessment reports and the alleged destruction of houses and businesses along parts of the Lagos shoreline.