Rufai Oseni, an Arise Television anchor, is demanding that Lagos State and federal authorities release all documents tied to the environmental impact assessment for the coastal road project. Speaking on The Morning Show on Wednesday, Oseni insisted that officials must publish correspondence, reports and records detailing how the assessment was conducted and whether it addressed flooding dangers.
Oseni argued that such a massive infrastructure project couldn't have moved forward without consultations between state and federal governments. He challenged both the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and the Federal Ministry of Environment and Works to prove this coordination took place.
"You see, when we talk, they say my mouth is smelling, but it is better my mouth smells and Nigeria gets better," Oseni said.
"Today, I would like to challenge the Ministry of Environment in Lagos, and challenge the Federal Ministry of Environment and Works to please show us one mail trail and the negotiations and conversations over the environmental impact assessments," he added.
According to him, building a road of that scale without environmental impact assessments involving state and federal liaison would be impossible. "So, I challenge them to bring out those documents," he insisted.
Oseni also pressed authorities to release the full environmental impact assessment report itself, including findings about how the coastal road would affect Lagos and flood management. He demanded they disclose what mitigation measures they claimed would be implemented and when the assessment was completed.
"I also challenge them to bring out those documents as regards the floods in the other areas," he said, referring to flooding affecting other parts of the state.
His intervention comes as recent downpours submerged parts of Lagos, reigniting concerns about infrastructure projects and their environmental implications. Oseni's call puts pressure on both tiers of government to demonstrate transparency regarding how major development projects are vetted.
