Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Obi Asks Nigerian Government to Prioritize Existing Roads

Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has voiced concerns regarding the Lagos-Calabar Super Highway project. His concerns stem from the dilapidated state of numerous roads across Nigeria, which he deems more pressing for rehabilitation due to their contribution to hazards faced by travelers and the stagnation of economic growth. 

In a statement issued through his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Obi highlighted the need for a strategic allocation of resources to address existing infrastructure challenges before embarking on ambitious new projects. He expressed reservations about the timing and prioritization of the Lagos-Calabar Super Highway project, urging the federal government to redirect resources towards rehabilitating existing roads critical for regional connectivity and economic development across the six geo-political zones.

Besides indicating his reserved concerns about the cost of the project, Obi noted the perilous conditions of many Nigerian roads, which have become death traps for travelers, citing instances of vulnerability to kidnappers and other dangers. 

“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,” he said. “It is disheartening to witness the plight of innocent Nigerians who traverse these dilapidated roads under perilous conditions, vulnerable to kidnappers and other dangers.”

The Lagos – Calabar coastal highway, expected to gulp N15.36 trillion or N4.39 billion per kilometer over 30 years, has become a subject of controversy since it was announced. A large section of Nigerians, including the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have described the project as a conduit of corruption.

Obi outlined a comprehensive list of vital roads in various zones, including the North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East, and South-South regions, which are in dire need of repair and completion.

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 – 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 – 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 

6. 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. 

“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 said.

Emphasizing the importance of prioritizing road infrastructure funding, the former Anambra State governor noted that the allocated capital budget of N892.461 billion for the Federal Ministry of Works in 2024, along with additional funding from multilateral loan projects totaling N94.828 billion, and expected contributions from sources such as the China-Exim Bank and the World Bank, will not suffice for comprehensive work on all critical roads. 

He stressed that this funding would not be adequate for completing the necessary infrastructure projects, including those listed earlier.

“So, why embark on another huge project that will not be completed in the next 20 or 30 years?” he asked, adding that doing 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,” he said. 

Obi said although the superhighway possesses potential benefits, completing existing projects, and “the urgent needs of people must be prioritized” to 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,” he concluded.