BCPG: Extending Coastal Highway to Badagry More Beneficial

Bennett Oghifo

The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) has said it would be more beneficial economically if the terminus of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway is situated by the border town, Badagry.

The group said in a statement, signed by the Coordinator, BCPG Badagry Cell, QS. Olaniyi Olajire, and the Secretary, BCPG Badagry Cell, Engr. Dipo Olayiwola, saying having the terminal in Badagry would make a higher developmental impact than the Bar Beach on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.

“After a careful study, members of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild residing or working around Badagry axis observed that extending the coastal highway to the coastline of Badagry will bring added economic value to the project.

“Professionals from the BCPG Badagry Cell carried out a preliminary feasibility study along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean spanning from Badagry to Marina on Lagos Island, using a boat.

“Hence, the possibility of constructing the highway to Badagry was technically established. Some of the advantages of taking the terminus of the coastal highway to Badagry are enumerated below.

“The coastal highway will link directly the proposed Badagry Deep Sea Port with the Tin Can Port, Apapa Port and Lekki Deep Sea Port.

“Extending the highway to the international border of Badagry will encourage neighbouring countries to establish similar coastal highways that will boost international commercial activities.

“The direct route will increase patronage in the Lekki Free Trade zone, especially the Dangote Refinery and the airport. The highway will promote physical development with concomitant amenities along the rural settlements by the coastline.

“Ramshackle buildings along the littoral region will be regenerated, improving the quality of building production and embellishing the landscape with imposing buildings.

“Slum growth along the coastline will be eradicated. Construction of mass housing estates is predicted. The highway could serve as a protection for buildings that are under threat of ocean surge such as experienced at Bonny (Military) Camp in Victoria Island.

“Physical development along Badagry coastline is sparse compared to that of Lekki coastline. Hence, compensation payment to affected property owners will be significantly reduced.

“Finally, in a study of the layout of the proposed route, it is observed that the highway passes through the full coastlines of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States. Hence, Lagos State can also be given full coastline share of the coastal highway project. Location of the Cross River State coastal highway terminus is also relevant.

“In view of the aforementioned reasons, we hereby appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu to add to the Lagos – Calabar Highway project the stretch traversing Bar Beach/Eko Atlantic City on Ahmadu Bello Way to Badagry.”