EXPERTS ENDORSE COASTAL HIGHWAY, URGE INCLUSIVE PLANNING

Infrastructure and development experts have endorsed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as a transformative initiative with the potential to boost economic growth, improve connectivity, and unlock new opportunities across Nigeria’s coastal corridor.
The experts, however, stressed the need for inclusive planning, environmental sustainability, and continuous stakeholder engagement to ensure the project delivers long-term benefits without adverse social or ecological consequences.
Speaking at various forums and policy discussions, stakeholders noted that the highway could significantly enhance transportation, facilitate trade, promote tourism, and attract investments to coastal communities spanning several states.
According to them, the project has the capacity to stimulate economic activities, create thousands of jobs, improve access to markets, and strengthen regional integration if properly executed.
While endorsing the initiative, the experts urged government authorities to prioritize comprehensive environmental impact assessments and adopt measures to protect sensitive ecosystems, including mangrove forests and coastal habitats.
They also called for meaningful consultations with affected communities, traditional institutions, environmental groups, and other stakeholders to ensure that local concerns are adequately addressed throughout the implementation process.
The stakeholders emphasized that inclusive planning would help reduce potential conflicts, improve public acceptance, and ensure that the benefits of the project are widely shared among communities along the route.
In addition, they recommended the adoption of international best practices in coastal engineering, climate resilience, and disaster risk management to safeguard the infrastructure against future environmental challenges.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure projects and is expected to connect major economic hubs while supporting national development objectives.
Experts maintain that with proper planning, transparency, and environmental safeguards, the project could become a landmark achievement that balances economic growth with sustainable development.