The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has reiterated his call on the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of Nigeria’s existing road network before embarking on new road construction projects.

Obi made the call in a statement posted on his official X handle on Monday, arguing that scarce public resources should be directed towards fixing critical highways that are already serving millions of Nigerians rather than initiating new projects with limited immediate impact.

He said, “I have consistently advocated that the Government should refrain from initiating new road construction projects until they have thoroughly rehabilitated and maintained the existing road network.”

According to him, “Instead of undertaking new ventures and dualisation projects that offer marginal benefits, our primary focus ought to be on repairing the critical roads already in place.”

Obi cited the Asaba–Benin Road as an example of infrastructure requiring urgent government intervention, describing it as one of Nigeria’s most important transport corridors.

He noted that the highway serves as a major route for travellers moving from Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Rivers, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Abia, Enugu, as well as parts of Benue and Kogi states to Lagos.

Despite its strategic importance, Obi lamented that large sections of the road have deteriorated significantly, resulting in prolonged traffic congestion and hardship for commuters, businesses and transport operators.

He said the condition of the Asaba–Benin Road mirrors the state of many of the country’s busiest federal highways, stressing that the government should focus on reconstructing and maintaining existing infrastructure before announcing new road projects.

“The Nigerian populace requires functional and motorable roads, not merely projects that garner public attention,” he said.

Obi further warned against prioritising projects aimed at achieving political visibility over addressing the pressing need to restore critical road infrastructure across the country.