Peter Obi urges President Tinubu to reconsider Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has called upon President Bola Tinubu to halt the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, citing concerns over its potential impact on Nigerian jobs.

Obi argued that the project, spearheaded by the federal government, is a misallocation of resources and risks exacerbating unemployment levels.

He emphasized that the staggering cost of N2.8 trillion for the 700-kilometer highway could be better utilized to address pressing national priorities.

The former Anambra governor’s remarks come amid the government’s commencement of demolition activities along the proposed route, eliciting widespread public outcry.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi recently disclosed the ambitious scope of the project, which aims to connect Lagos to Cross River State while traversing several other states.

Umahi’s announcement was followed by the inauguration of demolition exercises, with affected properties being cleared to make way for the highway’s construction.

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Despite assurances of compensation for affected individuals, Obi condemned the government’s disregard for public sentiment and its adverse consequences on livelihoods.

Expressing dismay over the unfolding developments, Obi stressed the economic ramifications of the project, asserting that thousands of jobs are at risk, particularly in the leisure and hospitality sector.

He cautioned against the project’s continuation, urging policymakers to prioritize essential needs such as national security, poverty alleviation, healthcare, and education.

Obi’s impassioned plea underscores growing concerns over the government’s infrastructure priorities amidst a challenging economic landscape.

As Nigeria grapples with widespread poverty and infrastructure deficits, his call for a reevaluation of the Lagos-Calabar highway project resonates with those advocating for a more prudent allocation of resources.

In light of Obi’s critique, President Tinubu and other government officials face mounting pressure to reassess the project’s viability and its alignment with the nation’s most pressing needs.

With the specter of unemployment looming large, the fate of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway hangs in the balance as stakeholders deliberate its fate in the context of Nigeria’s evolving socio-economic landscape.