Diri Defends Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Rejects Duke’s Criticism
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has defended the feasibility of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, disagreeing with former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke over the challenges of building the road through the Niger Delta’s swampy terrain.
Duke had described the proposed route through Bayelsa as difficult to construct, arguing that the region’s wetlands could require hundreds of bridges to connect communities along the highway.
However, Diri insists that existing road and bridge projects in Bayelsa demonstrate that major infrastructure can be delivered across challenging landscapes.
Diri cites Bayelsa road and bridge projects
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Diri expressed disappointment over Duke’s comments. He argued that a former governor from the South-South region should recognise the importance of infrastructure development to coastal communities.
The Bayelsa governor pointed to several projects as evidence that construction across wetlands and waterways is achievable.
Among the examples he cited were the Nembe-Brass Road, the Sagbama-Ekeremor-Agge Road and the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road. He also referenced a 630-metre bridge across the River Nun at Angiama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Diri further mentioned road projects in New Yenagoa City and the Glory Drive phases. According to him, these developments show that engineers can overcome difficult terrain through appropriate construction methods.
He also suggested that political considerations might have influenced Duke’s criticism. Nevertheless, Diri maintained that the highway’s potential benefits should take priority over partisan disagreements.
Governor highlights economic importance of coastal highway
Diri described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as an important infrastructure project that could improve transportation and create economic opportunities across Nigeria’s coastal communities.
He said the Ijaw National Congress had advocated the project for decades and had repeatedly presented the demand to successive federal administrations.
According to the governor, the highway could help address longstanding transportation challenges faced by the Ijaw people and other riverine communities.
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Diri also linked his support for the project to his decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the interests of his people remained central to his political decisions.
He warned politicians against allowing partisan disputes to undermine development projects, particularly during election periods. He argued that ordinary citizens often bear the consequences when political disagreements delay or overshadow infrastructure delivery.
Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway spans nine states
The Federal Government’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is designed to connect coastal areas across nine states: Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
The proposed route is intended to improve connectivity along Nigeria’s coastline and support economic activities in the communities it serves.
However, construction through the Niger Delta presents significant engineering considerations because of its wetlands, waterways and swampy terrain.
While Diri maintains that the project is feasible, its successful delivery will depend on appropriate engineering designs, construction methods, environmental considerations and effective project execution.
The disagreement between Diri and Duke highlights the debate surrounding the highway’s technical challenges and its potential benefits for communities across the South-South and other coastal regions.
