Diri and Duke clash over feasibility of Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway

On 16 October 2026, a public exchange erupted between Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and former Cross River Governor Donald Duke over the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway, a 750‑kilometre project that will link nine coastal states. The highway is being built by the federal government and is intended to improve transport and stimulate economic activity in the region.

During an interview on Arise Television, Duke warned that the terrain along the route, particularly the swampy areas of Bayelsa, would make the construction impossible. He suggested that the state would require between one hundred and two hundred bridges to cross the wetlands and questioned the need for a new road when existing routes could be upgraded.

Diri, speaking through spokesman Daniel Alabrah, criticised Duke for what he described as a politically motivated attack. He highlighted that Bayelsa has already built dual‑carriage roads and bridges across similar swampy and mangrove environments, demonstrating that the coastal highway is technically feasible. Diri also noted that the project has long been championed by the Ijaw National Congress and is considered essential for unlocking development in riverine communities.

Following the Minister of Works’ admission that difficult ground conditions had forced redesigns of certain sections, Duke said he was vindicated and urged Diri to address the technical and financial implications of the highway. Duke’s assistant Emeka Okpragu added that the governor should not dismiss the concerns as political but should examine cost, financing and priority. Duke maintained that even if roads can be built, they still require scrutiny of engineering, cost and funding.

The clash highlights the broader debate over infrastructure investment in Nigeria’s coastal belt. While Diri stresses the strategic importance of the highway for regional integration and economic growth, Duke emphasises the need for realistic engineering assessments and fiscal responsibility. The federal government’s progress on the project will likely be influenced by these discussions and the need to balance ambition with practicality.