*Says the project will worsen Nigeria’s debt burden
*Advises President to review his priorities
By Ada Okafor
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi has stated that the Lagos-Calabar Super highway Project, even though beneficial, is not a national priority for now.
Obi, while reacting to the trillions of Naira project awarded to Messers Chagoury Limited, insisted that the project “should be thoroughly reviewed”.
The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, had classified the project as one of the most pressing national priority projects, justifying why the road/railway project which he claims is 10 lanes all through was awarded and part-paid without due process.
Several Nigerians including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, have lampoon’s the President Ahmed Tinubu administration for the project which he noted is riddled with corruption and must be probed.
Reacting, Obi stated: “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 prioritization of such a monumental venture.
“At the forefront of my concerns is the pressing issue of numerous uncompleted roads scattered across the country, many of which have become hazardous death traps and security risks.
“It is 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”.
He listed some of the roads in various zones to include: “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–lBashar–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–Oturkpo-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-Yenegoa 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”.
Ibi further highlighted that the Federal Ministry of Works 2024 capital budget of N892,461,262,656.00, with 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 he 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.
“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 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 completing and rehabilitating existing infrastructure rather than embarking on colossal new projects that may never reach completion within the next 30 years,” Obi stresses.
