Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Diversion: ‘Our Hope of Abandoning Canoes as Ambulances, School Buses, Hearses Dashed’Residents of communities affected by the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project have expressed concerns over the road diversion, saying it has dashed their hopes of ending their dependence on canoes for essential transportation services.The residents lamented that they had anticipated that the coastal road project would improve access to their communities and reduce the difficulties associated with using canoes as ambulances, school buses and hearses.According to the concerns raised, the diversion has created uncertainty for residents who depend on improved road access to transport sick people, take children to school and convey deceased relatives for burial.
The situation has renewed concerns about the impact of major infrastructure projects on host communities, particularly those whose livelihoods and access to basic services depend on reliable transportation.Residents are seeking interventions that will address their transportation challenges and ensure that the coastal road project delivers meaningful benefits to the communities along its route.They are also calling for adequate consideration of local needs in the implementation of the project to prevent affected communities from being left with limited access to essential services.Further details about the specific communities affected and the authorities’ response to the complaints were not provided in the available information.
Joseph Akwagiobe is a media contributor from Cross River State, Nigeria, currently based in Abuja. He is a graduate of Microbiology and has earned several professional certifications across diverse fields, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence.