The 2023 Presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has taken a dig at the Coastal road project of this administration saying the timing is wrong and is not a priority.

Obi therefore wants an immediate review of the project and attention channelled at the deplorable internal road projects littered all over the country that would enhance economic growth.

The LP standards bearer who listed some of the abandoned road projects in the geopolitical zones of the country said that deliberate attention should be given to those projects that will enhance the living standards of the poor and help internal day-to-day production.

Writing in his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra State Governor 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 prioritization 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.

“Some of these roads in various zones include:

1. 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

2. 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 – Yalo – Bashar – Wase – Wamba – Nassarawa Road

3. 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

4. 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

5. SOUTH-EAST 9th Mile – Otukpo – 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

6. SOUTH-SOUTH Benin – Sapele – Warri Road East – West Road (Warri – Kaiama – Ahoada – Port Harcourt – Eket – Oron) Yenegwe 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.

“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.

“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 repairing existing infrastructure rather than embarking on colossal projects that may never reach completion within the next 30 years.

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has said that the present administration attached importance to the construction of the East- West highway because of its commercial viability.

Describing the highway as a priority of the administration, the president stated that it connects the nation’s busiest and foremost commercial cities.

He spoke at the 6th meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) in, Asaba, Delta State, with the theme “Stimulating Strategies for Economic Growth and Development in the Niger Delta Region.”

Declaring the meeting open, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assured that his administration would prioritize the completion of the East-West Road in view of its importance not only to the Niger Delta states but to the entire country.

Represented by the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, the President declared that “The East-West Road project is the largest infrastructure project in Nigeria today, and the reason is not far-fetched; It is a very strategic road connecting the nation’s busiest and foremost commercial cities in the country.

“Its completion is a priority to this administration, and this I assure you will be delivered in the very nearest future. On a broader scale, we are dedicated to ensuring that our local refineries across the Nicer Delta and other parts of the country are made operational soonest.”

He said the administration was repositioning the Niger Delta Development Ministry and the NDDC to harmonize all development plans of agencies and partners operating in the region into a single integrated regional development plan to actualize their mandate.

The President restated his commitment towards resuscitating refineries in the country to ensure petroleum products availability and reduction in their retail prices.

His word: “It will gladden you to note that my administration has demonstrated interest in repositioning the NDDC to ensure it delivers optimally on its objectives and mandate, and to make it achievements manifest in different sectors of life across the Niger Delta region.

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri and his Delta counterpart, Francis Oborevwori and other stakeholders called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Niger Delta Ministry to collaborate more effectively with subnational governments in the region.

In a goodwill message, Governor Diri noted that effective collaboration between the Niger Delta Ministry, the NDDC and the nine states would fast-track the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta.

The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, maintained that such cooperation would equally enable the ministry and the interventionist agency to better deliver on their mandate.

In their separate remarks, the Governor of Delta State, Chief Francis Oborevwori and his Imo State counterpart, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said it was high time the resources meant for the region were used for its development.

Chief Oborevwori emphasized the need for NDDC and the Niger Delta ministry to complete their uncompleted projects in the region, particularly the East-West road, which had been under construction for decades.