Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has issued a warning of legal action against Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, regarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
UMAID has been charged by SERAP to reveal whether an environmental and social impact assessment was conducted for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project by the federal government.
The organization has called on Umahi to disclose the publication status of the report from the assessment, including specifics on the date and locations.
In a recent announcement, SERAP stated: “BREAKING: Senator David Umahi has been served with a freedom of information request. He is required to promptly confirm if an environmental and social impact assessment was undertaken for the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway Project. Additionally, he must ensure that a copy of the assessment report, along with its date and location details, is made publicly available. Failure to comply will result in legal action.”
The 700-kilometer coastal highway project has been marred by controversy, particularly after the demolition of the $200 million Landmark Beach Resort to establish a right of way for the project, which is estimated to cost the federal government N15 trillion.
Following the demolition, the owner of Landmark Resort, Paul Onwuanibe, accused the Nigerian Government of misconduct.
In response, Umahi dismissed Onwuanibe’s claims as politically motivated, emphasizing that Landmark has no legal basis for opposing the government’s demolition activities.
Umahi clarified that the demolished properties were situated along the shoreline as part of the development of the pathway for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.