Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has criticized the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Super Highway project, calling it a misdirected priority.
Obi argues that the project, which is currently receiving significant attention, does not warrant such focus due to its enormous cost, lengthy completion time, and the existence of other more urgent but neglected road projects across Nigeria.
He further criticizes the timing of the Coastal road project by the current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, as inappropriate.
Obi is urging the administration to reconsider the project and redirect the funds and focus towards the deteriorating internal road projects scattered across the country, which he believes would stimulate economic growth.
The Labour Party candidate has identified several abandoned road projects across the country’s geopolitical zones. He suggests that these projects, which could improve the living conditions of the poor and boost daily production, should be given priority.
Obi expressed his views in a series of tweets on Monday from his Twitter handle.
He stated, “While I acknowledge the potential benefits of the coastal superhighway project and urge a thorough review of its pricing, I feel obliged to question the timing and prioritization of such initiatives. My primary concern is the numerous unfinished roads across the country, many of which have become dangerous and pose security risks.”
He further lamented the plight of Nigerians who risk their lives traveling these dilapidated roads, which have become hotspots for kidnappers and other threats.
Obi highlighted that most of these roads, crucial for economic growth, regional connectivity, and overall development, have been under construction for several years and are unlikely to be completed soon due to inadequate funding.
He then listed some of the neglected roads across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“North-West: Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Road – Sokoto – Funtua – Zaria Road Kano – Hadejia Road Kano – Katsina Road Zaria – Funtua – Shema – Tsafe – Gusau – Talata – Mafara – Sokoto Road Kano – Kwanar – Danja – Hadejia Road.
“North East: Kano – Damaturu – Maiduguri Road – Mubi – Maiduguri Road Nguru – Gashua – Bayamari Road Gombe – Biu – Numan Road Dikwa – Marte – Monguno Road Potiskum – Fika – Bajoga – Gombe – Biu Road Mayo Belwa – Jada – Ganye – Tongue Road Tumu – Pindiga – Kashere – Yalo – Bashar – Wase – Wamba – Nassarawa Road
“North-Central: Abuja – Lokoja – Okene- Auchi – Benin Road – Ilorin – Jebba Road Kabba – Omuaran Road – Suleja – Minna Road Makurdi – Gboko – Yandev – Katsina-Ala Road Buruku Bridge across Katsina River
“South-West: Lagos – Badagry Road Ibadan – Ife – Ilesha – Osogbo Road Itoikin – Ijebu Ode – Ibadan Road Ibadan – Ilorin – Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani Junction Road Abeokuta – Ibadan Road Ikorodu – Shagamu Road Ado – Igede – Aramoko – Itawure Road Ajasse Ipo – Offa – Erinle – Osun State Border Road
South-East: 9th Mile – Otukpo – Makurdi Road – Enugu Port Harcourt Road Onitsha – Awka – Enugu Road Onitsha – Owerri – Umuahia Road Bende – Arochukwu – Ohafia Road Okigwe – Afikpo Road – Nsukka – Obollo Afor Ehamafu – Nkalagu Road Oba – Nnewi – Okija Road
South-South: Benin – Sapele – Warri Road East – West Road (Warri – Kaiama – Ahoada – Port Harcourt – Eket – Oron) Yenegwe Road Junction – Kolo – Otuoke Road Sapele – Agbor – Ewu Road Benin – Akure – Ore – Ife Road Ikot Ekpene – Aba – Owerri Road – Jattau – Fugar – Agenebode Road Bodo – Bonny Road with Bridge across Opobo Channel Port Harcourt – Onne Road – Agbor – Sakpoba – Ogharefe Road Odukpani Junction – Itu – Ikot Ekpene – Umuahia Road.”
He further said, “The Federal Ministry of Works 2024 capital budget of N892,461,262,656.00, additional funding from multilateral loan projects of N94,828,535,243.00, alongside other expected contributions from sources like the China-Exim Bank and the World Bank, will not be enough for serious work on all the critical roads, some of which I enumerated above, let alone their completion.
“So, why embark on another huge project that will not be completed in the next 20 or 30 years? To do so will only exacerbate the problem of abandoned, uncompleted projects that are not contributing to economic growth and overall development.
“Prioritization and fiscal discipline should be our critical guiding principles now. Therefore, while acknowledging the potential benefits of coastal superhighway infrastructure, I urge prioritization of our existing uncompleted projects.
“We must allocate resources towards repairing and completing existing infrastructure, crucial for the well-being and safety of our society, before embarking on new projects, no matter their perceived benefits.
“Let’s prioritize the urgent needs of our people and ensure that our investments serve the collective good of the nation.
“In any development formula, the primary focus should be on repairing existing infrastructure rather than embarking on colossal projects that may never reach completion within the next 30 years.”
