FG Considers Lagoon Backfilling to Reduce Costs on Lekki Deep Seaport Access Road
The Federal Government is assessing a proposal to backfill a lagoon as a lower-cost alternative to constructing a three-kilometre bridge on the Lekki Deep Seaport–Epe–Ijebu-Ode access road, a major transport corridor critical to Nigeria’s maritime and logistics competitiveness.
According to senior government officials, the backfilling option is being reviewed to accelerate delivery of the fifty-kilometre dual carriageway and minimise the financial burden associated with building a long-span bridge. The road links the Lekki Deep Seaport to regional road networks and is expected to support cargo evacuation, industrial activity, and commuter movement across the Lekki–Epe axis.
The access road comprises two twenty-five-kilometre carriageways, each designed with three lanes. It also includes major bridges of approximately 3.5km and 2.4km, making it one of the most complex transport infrastructure projects underway in the region.
Government engineers note that replacing the proposed three-kilometre bridge with a backfilled embankment could mitigate structural risks, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and streamline the construction timeline, provided environmental safeguards are met.
Financing Structure and Project Progress
The Federal Government has already released thirty per cent of the project funding, while China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is financing the remaining seventy per cent under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Finance (EPC+F) arrangement. Under this model, project repayment will be executed through toll revenues once operations commence.
CHEC’s Managing Director, Jason Wang, reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to maintaining quality and delivering on schedule. Government officials emphasised that transparency protocols and multi-layer oversight mechanisms will guide the project’s financial and technical execution.
Community Engagement and Environmental Considerations
Officials stated that community stakeholders have been engaged to ensure local concerns are incorporated into the planning process. Any lagoon backfilling activity will be subjected to environmental impact assessments to address potential ecological risks.
Government representatives added that the objective is to develop a resilient, cost-effective access road that enhances port efficiency without compromising environmental standards or community interests.
Maintaining Momentum on Nigeria’s Maritime Infrastructure Goals
The evaluation of the backfilling option reflects the government’s broader strategy to optimise infrastructure spending while keeping critical logistics corridors on schedule. As the Lekki Deep Seaport scales up operations, the reliability and efficiency of its access routes remain central to Nigeria’s ambition to strengthen its position in regional trade.
