By Ononye VC
Former Governor Peter Obi has voiced his thoughts on the ongoing discussions surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project. While acknowledging its potential benefits, Obi expressed serious concerns about its pricing and raised questions regarding the timing and prioritization of such a monumental venture.
Obi highlighted the pressing issue of numerous uncompleted roads across the country, emphasizing their role in economic growth and regional connectivity. He listed critical roads in various zones, many of which have been under construction for several years due to poor funding and planning.
Some of these roads in various zones as pointed out by Obi 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 – Bashar – 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.
With the Federal Ministry of Works allocating a capital budget of N892,461,262,656.00 for 2024, in addition to funding from multilateral loan projects and other sources, Obi questioned the wisdom of embarking on another massive project that may not be completed for the next 20 or 30 years. He warned against exacerbating the problem of abandoned, incomplete projects that do not contribute to economic growth.
Obi urged prioritization of existing uncompleted projects, emphasizing the need to allocate resources towards repairing and completing vital infrastructure. He stressed the importance of focusing on the urgent needs of the people and ensuring that investments serve the collective good of the nation.
In conclusion, Obi advocated for prioritizing the completion and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure over embarking on colossal new projects with uncertain completion timelines. He emphasized the importance of fiscal discipline and strategic prioritization in addressing the country’s infrastructure challenges.
