Minister of Works Dave Umahi has disclosed that some properties along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor may be demolished to make way for the construction of service lanes, assuring affected owners that they will be compensated before any structure is removed.

Umahi made the announcement during a high-impact flood assessment of the project, explaining that the coastal highway was designed to be accessed through underpasses, overpasses, and flyovers, rather than directly from adjoining properties. He said although the government had earlier realigned sections of the highway to save some buildings, the planned service lanes have made the removal of certain properties unavoidable.

The minister also defended the project against criticism, stating that the highway and its associated reclamation works are improving flood control and protecting surrounding communities. He said reclamation at Chainage 13 is helping to shield residential areas, including Ocean Bay Estate, from rising water levels after erosion threatened parts of the road during construction.

According to Umahi, the contractor, Hi-Tech Construction, adopted the same engineering model used in developing Eko Atlantic City, with additional reclamation carried out to strengthen the coastline and improve the highway’s resilience to flooding.

Meanwhile, the minister ordered the immediate deployment of 40 patrol officers on motorcycles to protect the highway. He said the patrol teams will prevent vandalism, illegal hawking, destruction of roadside trees, and unauthorised access to the road, ensuring the infrastructure is properly maintained and secured.