The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has questioned the Federal Government over the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Obi in a post on X said he has closely followed the comments and developments arising from the super highway project.
He said he is hesitant to engage in contentious debates about its benefits, which he acknowledges, and the pricing, which he has serious concerns about.
Obi said while he believes the pricing should be thoroughly reviewed, he is compelled to raise essential questions about the timing and prioritization of such a monumental venture.
He added that at the forefront of his concerns is the pressing issue of numerous uncompleted roads scattered across Nigeria, many of which have become hazardous death traps and security risks.
Obi said he feels that the Ministry of Works 2024 capital budget of N892 billion, additional funding from multilateral loan projects of N94bn, 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, let alone their completion.
“So, why embark on another huge project that will not be completed in the next 20 or 30 years?,” Obi asked.
“To do so will only exacerbate the problem of abandoned, uncompleted projects that are not contributing to economic growth and overall development.
“It will merely worsen our already sagging debt burden. Given the state of our economy now, prioritization and fiscal discipline should be our critical guiding principles now.
“Therefore, while acknowledging the potential benefits of coastal superhighway infrastructure, I urge the prioritization of our existing uncompleted projects.”
According to Obi, in any development formula, the primary focus should be on completing and rehabilitating existing infrastructure.
He said this is better than embarking on colossal new projects that may never reach completion within the next 30 years.
The former Anambra state governor said iis disheartening to witness the plight of innocent Nigerians who traverse these dilapidated roads under perilous conditions, vulnerable to kidnappers and other dangers.
“Most of these roads, vital for economic growth, regional connectivity, and overall development, have been under construction for several years if not decades now and are unlikely to be completed any time soon due to poor and unplanned funding,” Obi said.
