Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has renewed debate over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, insisting that the project should be called the Lagos Coastal Highway because, in his view, it may never reach Calabar.
Duke’s position comes amid renewed attention to the challenges facing the ambitious coastal road project following comments by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, about the difficult terrain along parts of the highway.
In a report published by Leadership Newspaper, Duke said Umahi’s admission about the difficult terrain had vindicated his earlier concerns about the project.
The former governor’s position raises fresh questions about the eventual destination of the highway and whether Cross River State, particularly Calabar, will enjoy the benefits residents have anticipated from a project bearing the name Lagos-Calabar.
For Cross River residents, the concern goes beyond the name of the road. The coastal highway has generated expectations that it will improve transportation, promote tourism, attract investment and strengthen economic activities across communities along the coastal corridor.
Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, is a major tourism destination with significant potential for hospitality, trade and maritime-related businesses. A highway connecting the city to Lagos and other coastal communities could improve access and create new economic opportunities for the state.
However, Duke’s comments have brought the question of the highway’s final destination back into public discussion, particularly as construction challenges and the difficult terrain along sections of the route attract attention.
The Federal Government has presented the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a major infrastructure project intended to connect coastal communities and improve transportation along Nigeria’s southern coastline.
The project has also attracted public debate over its cost, construction methods, environmental implications and the pace of implementation.
For Cross River State, the central question remains whether the highway will be completed as planned and deliver the connectivity that its name promises.
Duke’s remarks are likely to generate further reactions from residents and stakeholders who want clear assurances about the project's route, completion timeline and eventual connection to Calabar.
Until the relevant authorities provide further clarification on the concerns raised, the debate over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is likely to continue, with Cross River residents watching closely to see whether Calabar will ultimately become a destination on the much-publicised coastal route.
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