Chief Sola Ebiseni, Secretary-General of the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, has voiced strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. While welcoming the ambitious infrastructure plan, he cautioned the federal government against excluding the Ondo State coastline from the proposed route.
Ebiseni praised Works Minister David Umahi for his recent trip to the Ilaje region, labeling the visit a positive sign of a responsive government. This tour followed a formal letter from Afenifere requesting that the highway alignment be adjusted to better serve coastal Yoruba communities. Ebiseni emphasized that local residents are enthusiastic about the project, which promises to significantly cut travel times to Lagos.
Despite this support, Ebiseni voiced disagreement with the government’s current planning. Officials have suggested that the Ondo section was rerouted due to difficult soil conditions. Ebiseni countered this, arguing that modern engineering is fully capable of overcoming such geographical challenges. He pointed to existing oil company infrastructure in the Niger Delta as proof that the terrain can support large-scale development.
Concluding his remarks, Ebiseni affirmed that Afenifere remains committed to backing the Tinubu administration. However, he maintained that the organization will continue to advocate for the interests of Ondo residents to ensure they are not left behind in this major economic development effort.
