THE Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) is seeking the extension of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway to Badagry, saying this will make higher developmental impact.
Situating the terminus of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway by the border town, Badagry, the group of built environment professionals said would make higher developmental and economic impact than the Bar Beach on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.
In a statement signed by the Coordinator, BCPG Badagry Cell and his Secretary, OlaniyiOlajire and DipoOlayiwola, the group said: ”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.”
The professionals from the Badagry Cell said they carried out a preliminary feasibility study along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean spanning from Badagry to Marina on the Lagos Island, using a boat and technically established the possibility of constructing the highway to Badagry.
They also enumerated the advantages of taking the terminus of the coastal highway to Badagry.
The duo said the coastal highway will link directly the proposed Badagry Deep Sea Port with the Tin Can Port, Apapa Port and Lekki Deep Sea Port.
Besides, they said that extending the highway to the international border of Badagry would encourage neighbouring countries to establish similar coastal highways that will boost international commercial activities.
The direct route, according to them, would increase patronage in the Lekki Free Trade zone, especially the Dangote Refinery and the airport, adding that the highway will promote physical development with concomitant amenities along the rural settlements by the coastline.
Apart from these, the said the 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 prognosticated.
The highway could serve as a protection for buildings that are under threat of ocean surge such as experienced at Bonny ( Military) Camp on the 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,” the statement from BCPG read.
“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,” they said.
The group appealed to the President 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.
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