Since the pronouncement of plans, and eventual award of contract of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government was made public, commentators on national issues; the press and the Civil Society groups in particular, are asking questions; whether the country really needs this kind of gigantic project at this time of economic meltdown? The least some serious-minded persons can think of, is the construction of Coastal Highway, realising that the project will be financed with borrowed funds by a country that is already neck deep in debt, but rather how the economy can be stimulated, employment generated for the unemployed and food on the citizens’ table.
The coastal highway, according to the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, who spoke on Channels Television recently, would cost a whopping N15 trillion or more, and that the construction work would last for eight years. The seven hundred kilometers highway, from what Nigerians know now, is equivalent to similar road construction of over one thousand kilometers from Cairo, Egypt, to Johannesburg in South Africa, that cost less than the amount the LagosCalabar project would gulp. Inflating contracts figures and budget padding in Nigeria is not a new thing. In fact, those concerned do not lose sleep, because it’s a bailable offence when you defraud the state, no matter the amount involved.
Although, Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President, recently raised the alarm over the project and the manner such contract was awarded, but rather than verify the veracity of his statements, the issue as usual, has been reduced to politics and coming from an opposition figure. It’s on record that construction of the East-West Road which contract was awarded many years ago to ease the gridlock on that road, beginning from Edo and connecting other adjourning states in the South-South and South East regions up till date, has not been completed.
There are also many uncountable road projects across the country awarded by previous administration that are yet to be completed, even as most of these roads, surprisingly, have been abandoned by the contractors without anyone asking questions. The beauty of government is that it is a continuum. Democracy too, promotes transparency, which is why people are asking; whether Nigerians truly need this kind of gigantic project at this time? How many companies bidded for the contract? Whether the bidding went through due process before the winner eventually emerged, and why this road must be given priority when the country has borrowed so much from financial institutions, home and abroad? In fact, there are many questions to be asked, but our concern here is that these funds earmarked for this project must not be shared as usual by the political class.
The shameful drama that is unfolding in Kogi, where government security personnel shielded and prevented the arrest of a former governor that allegedly embezzled the states’ funds to the tune of N80 billion speaks volume of who we are, and why all eyes must be on this Coastal Highway contract that is already raising dust, even though the government has taken a position. We want to remind the government that so many roads in Nigeria, more important than the so-called Coastal Highway, have been abandoned. Government therefore, must not close its eyes on those roads. We want to believe that the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a well thought out project that would enhance the transportation system and alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians who really need improvements on roads infrastructure.
Government therefore, should ensure that the funds budgeted for the Coastal Highway do not fall into the wrong hands. Whether the completion time of the agreed eight years is feasible or not, the Coastal Highway project should not be added to the catalogue of abandoned roads projects which has always been the case, even after contractors have been mobilised. Since road infrastructure is essential to the country’s economic well-being, work must resume on other major highways that have been abandoned by previous administrations now that the Tinubu government is determined to address the country’s road infrastructure deficit.
