Peter Obi Bemoans Coastal Super Highway Project

Peter Obi

PETER Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the general election of 2023, has characterized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration's controversial super highway project as an improper priority.

Even if it were to win a second term, Peter Obi stated that the coastal highway project was a waste of money and would not be finished during this administration.

He says there are several intra- and interstate roads that need to be fixed, and when they are, they might boost the economy and increase production.

Obi stated that although the project is vital, its focus was misguided. Obi had included the roads in his verified X account.

He said: “I have closely followed the comments and developments arising from the coastal superhighway 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 feel compelled to raise essential questions about the timing and prioritisation of such ventures.

“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's 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 now and are unlikely to be completed shortly due to poor funding.

He said some of these roads in various zones 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 and Sokoto Road Kano, Kwanar, Danja and Hadejia Road

For the North-east, he listed “Kano, Damaturu, Maiduguri Road, Mubi, Maiduguri Road Nguru-Gashua- Bayamari Road Gombe-Biu-Numan Road Dikwa, Marte and Monguno Road Potiskum-Fika-Bajoga-Gombe-Biu Road Mayo Belwa, Jada, Ganye and Tongue Road Tumu, Pindiga, Kashere, Yalo, Bashar, Wase, Wamba and Nassarawa Road 

The North-Central Abuja region included Lokoja, Okene, Auchi, Benin Road, Ilorin, and Jebba Road, according to the Labour Party Presidential Suleja-Minna Road; Kabba-Omuaran Road Roads Makurdi, Gboko, Yandev, Katsina, and Ala Bridge Buruku that spans the Katsina River

Regarding the listed South-West Obi, “Lagos- Badagry Road Ibadan-Ife-llesha-Osogbo Road Itoikin Ijebu Ode-Ibadan Road Ibadan-Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Junction Road Abeokuta-Ibadan Road Ikorodu-Sagamu Road Ado-Igede- Aramoko-Itawure Road Ajasse Ipo-Offa- Erinle-Osun State Border Road.”

The former governor of Anambra state mentioned "9th Mile-Otukpo- Makurdi Road-Enugu Port Harcourt Road" as one of the intrastate routes that can have an effect on the region's economy. Enugu - Onitsha - Awka Road Owerri-Onitsha-Umuahia Road Road Bende-Arochukwu-Ohafia Ehamafu-Nkalagu Road, Okigwe-Afikpo Road, Nsukka-Obollo-Afor, and Oba Nnewi Okija Road.

The South-South essential routes that need federal government assistance for economic development, according to him, are “Yenegwe Road Junction, Kolo and Otuoke Road; Benin, Sapele; Warri Road East-West Road (Warri, Kaiama, Ahoada, Port Harcourt, Eket, Oron) Benin, Sapele-Agbor-Ewu Road; Ife, Ore, and Akure Roads Bodo-Bonny Road with Bridge across Opobo Channel-Port Harcourt, Onne Road, Agbor, Sakpoba and Ogharefe Road Odukpani Junction, Itu, Ikot Ekpene and Umuahia Road, Ikot Ekpene, Aba, Owerri Road, Jattau, Fugar and Agenebode Road.”

He said the reality of funding sources placed the coastal highway project in jeopardy as “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,” He queried.

He further said, “Prioritisation and fiscal discipline should be our critical guiding principles now. Therefore, while acknowledging the potential benefits of coastal superhighway infrastructure, I urge the prioritisation 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 prioritise 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,x the Presidential candidate said on his X account.”