Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, expressed strong criticism regarding the President Bola Tinubu’s administration adamant stance on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, decrying the use of bulldozer demolitions that have left thousands jobless.
Obi highlighted the disconnect between the project and the urgent need for job creation, emphasizing the devastating consequences of demolishing businesses and displacing thousands of workers.
Despite widespread outcry and appeals for compassion in public policy, the federal government has forged ahead with the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, sparking outrage across the nation. Reports indicate that demolition activities have commenced from the Lagos end, resulting in the heart-wrenching destruction of businesses and residences along the designated right of way.
The indiscriminate use of bulldozers has laid waste to livelihoods, squandering lifetime investments and plunging individuals into unemployment. The repercussions of this hasty flag-off are dire, with over 100,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector facing imminent extinction, along with 80 small businesses and their 4000 mostly youth employees.
At a time when rampant unemployment plagues the nation, the government’s insistence on pushing forward with a project that exacerbates job losses is met with incredulity. While the economic potential of the road is acknowledged, shifting priorities underscore the misplaced nature of this endeavor in light of prevailing insecurity and poverty.
The dire state of existing infrastructure and urgent socio-economic needs further underscore the folly of embarking on non-essential projects. Recent tragedies, such as the fuel tanker explosion on the East-West road in Rivers State, serve as stark reminders of the pressing need for infrastructure maintenance and improvement to ensure public safety.
As calls for a reassessment of priorities grow louder, it’s imperative for the government to heed the voices of its citizens and redirect resources towards initiatives that address the urgent needs of the populace. With Nigeria grappling with widespread poverty, inadequate healthcare, and educational disparities, the focus must be on tangible solutions that uplift the most vulnerable segments of society.
In conclusion, Peter Obi’s condemnation of the Lagos-Calabar highway project serves as a stark reminder of the need for prudent governance and a reevaluation of national priorities. With job losses mounting and economic hardships deepening, the government must exercise caution and foresight in its decision-making to steer the nation towards a path of sustainable development and prosperity.
