The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has raised concerns over the completion of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, News About Nigeria reports.
He made his concerns known in a statement via his verified X handle on Monday.
Obi tackled the Federal Government over its plan to begin work on the road, noting that there are other unfinished and abandoned road projects to prioritise before embarking on another project that might take decades to complete.
He maintained that these abandoned roads scattered across the country have become hazardous death traps and security risks and require urgent attention, not the commencement of a new project, which will not contribute to economic growth and overall development.
He suggested that, given the state of the nation’s economy, prioritisation and fiscal discipline should be the critical guiding principles, insisting that the project will worsen the already sagging debt burden.
“I have closely followed the comments and developments arising from the coastal (Lagos-Calabar) Super Highway Project.
“While I’m hesitant to engage in contentious debates about its benefits, which I acknowledge, and the pricing, which I have serious concerns about, and believe should be thoroughly reviewed, I am compelled to raise essential questions about the timing and prioritisation of such a monumental venture,” he stated.
He further maintained that most of these roads, which are vital for economic growth, regional connectivity, and overall development, have been under construction for several years, if not decades, and are unlikely to be completed any time soon due to poor and unplanned funding.
The former Anambra State governor added that Nigerians who ply these dilapidated roads under perilous conditions are vulnerable to kidnappers and other dangers.
He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to allocate resources towards repairing and completing existing infrastructure, before embarking on new projects, no matter their perceived benefits.
