The apex Igbo socio-cultural orgnanisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Sunday, lauded the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal road project estimated to cost N15trn.
The organisation, in a statement by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, however, called on the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and other key players to focus on the positive economic impact that the project will have on Nigerians, rather than engaging in endless debates about it.
Atiku had earlier alleged that the award of the Lagos-Calabar Project did not adhere to the necessary standards of due process.
In the statement titled: ‘Lagos-Calabar coastal road and the political calculus’, Ohanaeze Ndigbo said having analysed the intricate processes underpinning the inception of the 700km coastal Lagos-Calabar route, it was confident that the project will greatly benefit the Nigerian people.
It said, “In the realm of Nigerian politics, a seismic shift is underway, reverberating through the corridors of power and capturing the attention of astute observers.
“At the heart of this transformation lies the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, a monumental endeavour that, if brought to fruition, could reshape the political landscape and recalibrate the fortunes of key players.
“As Nigerians and, more specifically, Ndigbo, bear witness to the unfolding drama, questions abound regarding the enigma surrounding a coastal superhighway that promises manifold economic benefits for the poor Nigerians.
“Yet, paradoxically, this initiative has metamorphosed into a nightmare for opposition politicians, casting a shadow, especially over Atiku Abubakar’s political ambitions.”
The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project spans a distance of 700km and is aimed to establish a vital connection between Lagos and Cross River.
The project will traverse the coastal states of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom before reaching its final destination in Cross River.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural institution, has meticulously analysed the labyrinthine processes underpinning the inception of the 700km coastal Lagos-Calabar route.
“The presidential endorsement, heralding a staggering N15trn investment, and the subsequent assignment of contracts to the esteemed Hi-Tech Company, compliant with legal protocols, mark the genesis of a monumental undertaking.
“The measured pace of road construction, priced at N4bn per kilometre, has sown seeds of trepidation within opposition circles, foreseeing a potential disruption to the political equilibrium,” the statement read.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, had earlier stated that the project would be delivered in eight years.
The Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphasised the significance of preserving the integrity of Minister Umahi’s efforts and protecting them from unnecessary disruptions caused by individuals with ulterior motives.
“As the saga unfolds, Atiku Abubakar is enjoined to supplicate for the success of President Tinubu and Umahi in delivering the myriad ongoing road projects inherited from the tenure of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari.
“Umahi’s stewardship, underscored by a presidential mandate for innovative cement technology, heralds a renaissance of infrastructure development fostering economic durability and enhancing the prosperity of all Nigerians,” it added
