Lagos-Calabar Highway: Peter Obi hits Tinubu’s government over ‘misplaced priority’

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, on Tuesday hit out at President Bola Tinubu’s government over the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Obi in a post on his X handle questioned the Federal Government over the construction of the Highway, calling it a ‘misplaced priority’.

“Lagos-Calabar Highway: FG adamant on a Misplaced Priority. Contrary to reason and the necessity for compassion in public policy, the federal government has commenced the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project,” Obi wrote.

READ ALSO: Lagos-Calabar coastal road: FG begins demolition of affected properties

“The outcry against this project has been overwhelming due to the current situation in the country.

“However, reports as of yesterday indicate that demolition of businesses and residences in the designated right of way for the project has commenced from the Lagos end.

“The sight of this insensitive demolition is heart-wrenching. Livelihoods are being wiped away, lifetime investments are being wasted, and jobs are disappearing as bulldozers roar through. The homes of the elderly are being overturned by the power of bulldozers.”

Obi said the hasty flag-off of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway defies the widespread outcry by the public, especially business and property owners directly affected by the project.

He stated that this is because nobody knows the outcry that will accompany this project as it progresses towards poor rural landscapes.

Obi lamented the fact that thousands of jobs are about to be lost, with investments above $200 million at risk.

READ ALSO: Ohanaeze urges Obi to support Lagos-Calabar coastal road project

He said over 100,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector face imminent extinction, along with 80 small businesses and their 4000 mostly youth employees.

The former Anambra state governor said at a time of rampant unemployment, the government is embarking on a job-losing project.

“Significant sections of the public have questioned the process preceding the project’s approval, yet the government remains deaf to reason and caution,” he said.

“Insecurity and poverty are rampant, placing this project lower on today’s national priorities.
It’s time to question the rationale and timing of this and similar projects.

“The nation is in its worst economic state in history, with poverty and hunger spreading. The basic necessities of life are beyond reach for most Nigerians.”

Obi said this is a moment when a committed government cannot embark on non-essential projects.

According to him, existing highways urgently need maintenance and much-improved security because insecurity makes travel unsafe.

The Federal Government this week began the demolition of properties affected by the right of way on the Lagos-Calabar coastal road construction.

Minister of works, David Umahi, made this known in a statement released by his media aide, Orji Uchenna, on Sunday in Abuja.

Umahi said that the project would mark a major milestone in the Renewed Hope roadmap of President Tinubu towards economic diversification.

Umahi called on those affected by the demolition exercise to take it as a sacrifice for the ultimate impact of the project for the economic prosperity of the nation.