Two prominent real estate executives have called for a technical inquiry into whether the design and routing of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway exacerbated the severe flooding that hit parts of Lagos State this year. Engr Stella Okengwu, CEO of Winhomes Limited, and Mr Stephen Akintayo, Chairman of Gtext Holdings, raised these concerns during separate appearances on a television programme over the weekend. They argued that the unprecedented scale of flooding demands expert scrutiny rather than political debate.
Highway Design Under Scrutiny
Okengwu acknowledged that Lagos has historically struggled with flooding but stated that the severity witnessed this year warranted a closer examination of the road's engineering, as reported by the Nigerian Tribune. She said, “I believe it is both reasonable and necessary for experts to objectively examine whether aspects of the road design, construction, drainage system and any departure from the 2006 gazetted alignment may have contributed in any way to this current situation.”
She noted that the original 2006 gazetted route had already passed required environmental assessments before the alignment was changed. Okengwu claimed she had flagged engineering concerns during the project's planning stage, but those concerns went unaddressed. Subsequently, the road was rerouted through her estate, resulting in the demolition of properties she and other investors had developed. She added that her engagement with the Minister of Works over the matter left her unsatisfied, alleging that questions about the environmental impact assessment were set aside.
Okengwu was clear that the Lagos State Government should not bear responsibility for the demolitions, stating that the Federal Ministry of Works carried out the exercise while the state government has concentrated on managing flood damage. She commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Environment Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab for their response efforts.
Akintayo Cites 'Valley Effect' and Calls for Compensation Fund
Akintayo identified several causes of the flooding, including blocked drains, weak environmental planning, and the elevation at which the coastal highway was built, according to Leadership. He argued that constructing the road at a level significantly higher than surrounding communities made it harder for floodwater to drain away naturally.
His central concern was not the highway itself but the decision to move it inland from the original route near the Atlantic coastline. He said the inland rerouting created a “valley effect” in neighbouring communities, trapping water that would otherwise have flowed out. Akintayo also pushed back against suggestions that property developers bore primary responsibility for the flooding, noting that developers operate under government-issued approvals and pass agency inspections. He argued that irregular approvals granted by some officials warranted investigation, and that developers found to have broken rules should face targeted sanctions rather than wholesale demolition of assets worth billions of naira.
To address losses linked to the project, Akintayo proposed an independent compensation fund to be jointly managed by the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and industry stakeholders. He warned that continuing uncertainty over property rights was already deterring local and diaspora investors from committing capital to Nigeria's real estate sector.
Highway Renamed After President Tinubu
In a related development, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will no longer be known by its original name. Minister of Works David Umahi has officially declared that the project will now bear the name President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway.
