Engineer Stella Okengwu, the CEO of WINHOMES ESTATE, Lagos State, has publicly expressed her concerns over setbacks affecting the Lagos-Calabar Highway Coastal alignment project. Her reaction follows comments made by the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, during a stakeholders’ engagement at Orchid Hall, Eko Hotel, Lagos, attended by leaders from prominent construction firms, government officials, community advocates, and civil society groups.
The coastal highway project, positioned as a legacy initiative under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, is a key component of the government’s renewed hope agenda, meant to drive national development and economic growth. At the engagement, Minister Umahi provided updates on the project’s progress and invited feedback from stakeholders, underscoring the government’s commitment to transparency. However, Engineer Okengwu’s response to the ongoing developments revealed deep-seated frustration over what she perceives as a significant challenge facing investors and communities along the coast.
Speaking on behalf of herself and other Nigerian investors in the Diaspora, Engineer Okengwu expressed dismay that despite securing official permits and designations in the gazetted coastal area, her estate and the surrounding properties face obstacles allegedly fueled by internal disruptions within the Ministry of Works. Okengwu was keen to absolve Minister Umahi of direct responsibility, emphasizing that the challenges seem to be driven by lower-level operatives.
Reflecting on her own journey and the sacrifices made by Nigerian investors abroad, Engineer Okengwu detailed the painstaking efforts and substantial financial investments dedicated to supporting the nation’s growth through real estate and infrastructure developments.
Okengwu pointed out that her estate and surrounding areas were clearly mapped within the officially designated coastal zone, yet her projects now face bureaucratic and logistical obstacles that threaten to undermine the viability of her investments. She further stressed that the significant support extended by herself and fellow Diaspora investors toward President Tinubu’s campaign has gone beyond finances, but time, commitment, and even the time away from their families all in the hopes of contributing to the Nigerian project.
Engineer Okengwu urged the government to not only address these discrepancies swiftly but to also ensure the protection of investments made in line with national interests. She expressed a strong hope that the government would recognize the invaluable contributions of Diaspora investors and foster a collaborative environment free of internal disruptions.
The engagement in Lagos follows a similar stakeholders’ forum held last week in Akure, Ondo State, where regional leaders and local representatives provided further input on the coastal highway’s impact.
As the project unfolds, Engineer Okengwu and her fellow investors look to the government for assurances that their commitments will be honored, their investments protected, and their contributions valued.
