The National Youth Wing of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the proposed rerouting of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, warning that the change could deprive Niger Delta communities of much-needed infrastructure development.
The group is demanding that the Federal Government abandon the proposed Ondo/East-West diversion and return the highway to its original coastal alignment.
PANDEF’s National Youth Leader, Chief DonBen Donyegha, made the appeal during a press conference in Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
PANDEF Rejects Proposed Coastal Highway Diversion
Donyegha expressed concern over the Federal Government’s decision to redesign sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, arguing that the proposed changes could defeat the project’s original purpose.
He maintained that the highway was expected to connect coastal settlements, improve transportation and create economic opportunities for communities along Nigeria’s southern coastline.
According to the PANDEF youth leader, moving the road away from its intended coastal route could leave several Niger Delta communities without the direct transport connections they had anticipated.
He therefore urged President Tinubu to review the decision and ensure that the project serves the interests of coastal residents.
Niger Delta Communities Deserve Better Infrastructure
Donyegha argued that communities in the oil-producing Niger Delta had endured years of environmental degradation associated with petroleum exploration and production.
Despite the region’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy, he said many coastal settlements continued to struggle with inadequate roads and limited transportation infrastructure.
The PANDEF representative insisted that these communities deserved improved access to essential services, stronger economic opportunities and infrastructure projects capable of supporting long-term development.
He described the original coastal highway proposal as an important opportunity to address longstanding transportation difficulties across the region.
PANDEF Questions Umahi’s Highway Redesign
The youth leader also expressed dissatisfaction with the announcement attributed to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, concerning the proposed highway alignment.
Donyegha maintained that the issue went beyond engineering considerations, saying the route selected for the project would determine which communities benefit directly from the investment.
He argued that any major redesign should take account of the economic and social implications for residents of coastal states.
For PANDEF, the central concern is whether the revised highway would continue to deliver the connectivity originally expected by communities along the Niger Delta coastline.
Group Calls for Presidential Intervention
Donyegha appealed directly to President Tinubu to reconsider the proposed Ondo/East-West rerouting and restore the coastal alignment.
He stressed that the Federal Government should not overlook communities that have experienced the environmental and economic consequences of oil production for decades.
The PANDEF youth leader said residents had welcomed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway because of its potential to improve movement between coastal communities and reduce longstanding transportation challenges.
He maintained that preserving the project’s coastal character was essential to ensuring that underserved settlements receive meaningful development benefits.
Why the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Matters
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of Nigeria’s major ongoing road infrastructure projects, designed to strengthen transport connections across the country’s southern corridor.
Supporters expect the project to improve regional trade, facilitate movement between states and stimulate economic activities in communities along its route.
However, PANDEF’s latest intervention highlights concerns about how changes to the road’s alignment could affect the distribution of those benefits.
The group wants the Federal Government to ensure that communities originally expected to benefit from direct coastal access are not excluded by subsequent design decisions.
As debate over the highway’s route continues, PANDEF is pressing the Presidency to reconsider the proposed diversion and prioritise the transportation needs of Niger Delta communities.
