Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni has criticised the timeline of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, questioning whether due process was followed before construction began.
In a post shared on his X account, Oseni argued that the sequence of events surrounding the project raises concerns about compliance with environmental regulations.
Broadcaster questions project timeline
According to Oseni, construction on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway commenced in March 2024, while the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment was completed in April 2025.
He further noted that the first phase of the highway was commissioned in May 2025, just one month after the EIA was reportedly finalised.
Oseni maintained that an Environmental Impact Assessment is expected to be completed before work begins on major infrastructure projects to identify and mitigate potential environmental risks.
Calls for further explanation
The broadcaster said the reported timeline suggests that parts of the environmental approval process were completed after construction had already started.
He also claimed that the assessment was unavailable when it was previously requested, arguing that this undermines the primary purpose of an EIA.
According to Oseni, environmental assessments are intended to prevent possible harm before projects commence rather than document impacts after significant work has already been carried out.
Debate over Coastal Highway continues
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project has remained the subject of public debate, with discussions focusing on its planning, implementation and environmental implications.
Oseni’s latest comments add to the ongoing conversation over the execution of one of Nigeria’s largest infrastructure projects.