•Wants attention paid to all bad roads in Nigeria
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Peter Obi, Labor Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, has investigated the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project by the federal government, saying the timing was not right and the project was not a priority.
Obi therefore wants an immediate review of the project and that attention be channeled towards the deplorable internal road projects spread across the country that would improve economic growth.
The former governor of Anambra State, who listed some of the abandoned road projects in the geopolitical zones of the country, said deliberate attention should be given to those projects that would improve the standard of living of the poor and help daily domestic production .
In a statement yesterday by his chief spokesperson, Dr Tanko Yunusa, Obi said: “I have closely followed the comments and developments emerging from the coastal superhighway project. While I hesitate to engage in contentious debates about their benefits, which I acknowledge, and pricing, which I have serious concerns about and believe should be thoroughly reviewed, I feel compelled to raise essential questions about the timing and prioritization of such companies. .
“At the forefront of my concerns is the pressing issue of the numerous unfinished roads spread across the country, many of which have become dangerous death traps and safety hazards.
“It is disheartening to witness the plight of innocent Nigerians traversing these dilapidated roads in dangerous conditions, vulnerable to kidnappers and other dangers.
“Most of these roads, vital to economic growth, regional connectivity and overall development, have been under construction for several years and are unlikely to be completed anytime soon due to lack of funding.
Obi listed some of these roads in various areas: Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano road; Sokoto – Funtua – Zaria Highway; Kano-Hadejia Highway; Kano-Katsina Highway; Zaria – Funtua – Shema – Tsafe – Gusau – Talata – Mafara – Sokoto road, and Kano – Kwanar – Danja – Hadejia road.
Others are the Kano – Damaturu – Maiduguri highway; the Mubi – Maiduguri highway; Nguru – Gashua – Bayamari Highway; Gombe – Biu – Numan Road Dikwa – Marte – Monguno Road; Potiskum – Fika – Bajoga – Gombe – Biu road; Mayo Belwa – Jada – Ganye – Tongue road, and Tumu – Pindiga – Kashere – Yalo – Bashar – Wase – Wamba – Nassarawa road.
Furthermore, he drew the attention of the government to the Abuja – Lokoja – Okene-Auchi – Benin highway; Ilorin – Jebba road; Kabba – Omuaran Highway; Suleja – Minna Highway; Makurdi – Gboko – Yandev – Katsina-Ala Highway and the Buruku Bridge over the Katsina River
Others are the Lagos – Badagry highway; Ibadan – Ife – Ilesha – Osogbo Highway; Itoikin – Ijebu Ode – Ibadan Road; Ibadan – Ilorin – Jebba – Mokwa – Bokani junction road; Abeokuta – Ibadan Highway Ikorodu – Shagamu Highway and Ado – Igede – Aramoko – Itawure Ajasse Ipo – Offa – Erinle – Osun State Border Highway.
For the South East region, it listed the 9th Mile – Otukpo – Makurdi Road – Enugu Port Harcourt road; Onitsha – Awka – Enugu Highway; Onitsha – Owerri – Umuahia Highway; Bende – Arochukwu – Ohafia Highway; Okigwe – Afikpo road; Nsukka – Obollo Afor Ehamafu – Nkalagu Highway; Oba – Nnewi – Okija road.
For the south-south, he identified the Benin – Sapele – Warri highway; East – West Highway (Warri – Kaiama – Ahoada – Port Harcourt – Eket – Oron) Yenegwe Highway Junction – Kolo – Otuoke Highway; Sapele – Agbor – Ewu road; Benin – Akure – Ore – Ife Highway; Ikot Ekpene – Aba – Owerri Highway; – Jattau – Fugar – Agenebode road; Bodo – Bonny Road with bridge over Opobo canal Port Harcourt – Onne road; Agbor – Sakpoba – Ogharefe road and Odukpani – Itu – Ikot Ekpene – Umuahia junction.
Obi stated that the Federal Ministry of Works 2024 capital budget of N892 billion, additional multilateral loan project financing of N94,828,535,243.00, together with other expected contributions from sources such as the China-Exim Bank and the World Bank, would not be enough for serious work. on all critical roads.
He added: “some of which I listed above, let alone their completion.
“So why embark on another big project that won’t be completed in the next 20 or 30 years? Doing so will only exacerbate the problem of abandoned and unfinished projects that do not contribute to economic growth and overall development.
“Fiscal prioritization and discipline should be our fundamental guiding principles now. Therefore, while I recognize the potential benefits of coastal superhighway infrastructure, I urge that priority be given to our existing incomplete projects.
“We must allocate resources to repair and complete existing infrastructure, crucial to the well-being and security of our society, before embarking on new projects, regardless of their perceived benefits. Let us prioritize the urgent needs of our people and ensure that our investments serve the collective good of the nation.
“In any development formula, the main focus should be on repairing existing infrastructure rather than embarking on colossal projects that may never be completed in the next 30 years,” he stressed.
