The founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Atedo Peterside has given reason why proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should have been executed before the commencement of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway realignment.
Recall that the Federal Government (FG) through the Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi at a 3rd Stakeholders Meeting in Lagos announced that the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway realignment would no longer occur.
According to him, the proposed diversion would no longer happen owing to the submarine cables along the coastline.
The minister also stated that the EIA would not be available for now, citing Section 15 (b) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to support the government’s decision to withhold certain information from the press and public.
Prior to the announcement, the telecommunications companies warned the government of the possibility of network outage in the country if the diversion take place. Consequently, the government adhered to the warning as it would affect internet connectivity and lead to demolition of ancestral homes in the Okun-Ajah community.
Meanwhile, Mr. Peterside reacting to the government’s decision on Friday emphasised the significance of EIA, maintaining that it would have been of great help if ‘implemented’.
“Dear @Dave Umahi. This is precisely why a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should have been carried out + some sort of public hearing that would have given affected persons a voice,” he stated on X, formerly Twitter.
The Nigerian entrepreneur added: “Unless I am mistaken, it appears that FG has destroyed properties along a new chosen path re new Lagos-Calabar Coastal Rd only to realise now that sticking to the original path (as argued by @landmarkafrica and others) makes so much more sense?
“I sincerely hope that I am wrong, but please let us take EIA seriously in future.”
