Tinubu urged to intervene in Lagos-Calabar highway crisis

Winhomes Global Estate CEO Stella Okengwu has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway bypass crisis, citing its adverse impact on the overall economy.

Okengwu expressed concern over the persistent problem, which she said had jeopardized investments worth millions of naira in the Okun Ajah axis of Lagos State.

His appeal was contained in a statement sent to The PUNCH on Wednesday, where he highlighted the plight of hundreds of Nigerians in the diaspora who had invested in Winhomes Global Estate projects located in the affected area.

In his appeal, he criticized the decision of the Minister of Public Works, David Umahi, to divert the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Recall that in November 2024, Umahi, while briefing members of the House of Representatives committee and some stakeholders at Eleko Beach, said that the road had been diverted at Okun Ajah due to underwater cables.

“When we reached Okun Ajah at Km 16, we discovered that we have many network cables, MTN and Africa Network, coming from the ocean. Instead of going along the designed corridor, which was the official corridor 25 years ago, we have to deviate at kilometer 16. We sat down with the community, we sat down with HiTech and we decided to divert the coastal road,” explained the minister. saying.

Okengwu, however, praised Tinubu’s leadership for his bold reforms aimed at repositioning the country for progress, and Nigerians for their resilience.

The statement reads in part: “This situation threatens the investments of patriotic Nigerians in the diaspora who heeded the call of the President to contribute to the growth of Nigeria.

“I appeal to President Tinubu to intervene directly to restore the original alignment of the coastal road and ensure that the Senate Committee on Works investigates allegations of corruption surrounding this bypass.

“This is crucial to safeguarding these investments and restoring confidence in the real estate sector.”

Okengwu explained that the affected investors followed legal protocols and possessed all necessary documentation, including certificates of occupancy and coastal road clearance.

He stated that diaspora investments were critical to national development and therefore needed to be cautious.

“Protecting these investments is not just about saving properties but ensuring that Nigeria remains an attractive destination for investors,” he said.