2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi has called on governments in Nigeria to pay more attention to rehabilitating existing Nigerian roads instead of embarking on new road projects that may “never be completed.”
Mr. Obi who recounted his experience on Saturday between Delta and Edo States expressed sadness and frustration over the “unmotorable” state of the roads.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu has embarked on a N16trillion “Coastal road” project which according to the president will connect Lagos State to Calabar, Cross River State. The road according to the Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi will connect all the Niger Delta states.
However, hinting at the futility of such projects when there is hardly any motorable roads in Nigeria, Obi called on the government at all levels to first making exisiting roads useable before embarking on constructing new roads. He wrote, “I use this opportunity to continue to plead with our political leaders, at all levels, to concentrate on maintaining, rehabilitating, and reconstructing our existing roads and other infrastructure rather than embarking on new projects that will never be completed.”
Several Nigerian major roads including 9th Mile/Markurdi, Okene/Auchi/Benin; Lokoja/Abuja; Ore/Sagamu roads etc remain in deplorable condition with billions of Naira worth of goods and human lives lost daily on the roads.
Below is Peter Obi’s full statement:
Today, again, I came face to face with the deplorable state of Nigeria roads as my desire to join a great friend and brother, Gen Cecil Esekhaigbe, in Esan Central of Edo State, who was burying his mother was marred by bad roads.
I had set out at 8 am by road to Esanland to join him and bid his beloved mother, Mrs. Ebaidebheki Esakhaigbe, farewell, but little did I know that it would be a mission impossible.
Due to my previous experience with bad roads, while going to the place previously through Benin, I decided to avoid that route entirely and go through Agbor.
On getting to Agbor Junction, I turned toward the direction of my destination. However, I was shocked by the very bad shape of the road which was almost not passable by car. I persisted and continued on the journey for about 25 minutes into the road until it became completely blocked by a faulty trailer that had impeded movement, causing a great gridlock.
Then, I decided to take Ugoneki Road, which would have also led me to my destination. Again, getting to the road was another nightmare, making my journey impossible. The poor condition of many Nigerian roads breaks my heart.
Though it was impossible for me to physically attend, I remain in earnest prayers with my brother, Gen Cecil, for a successful event.
I use this opportunity to continue to plead with our political leaders, at all levels, to concentrate on maintaining, rehabilitating, and reconstructing our existing roads and other infrastructure rather than embarking on new projects that will never be completed.
I look forward to the day when Nigerians will be able to travel freely and safely on good and well-maintained roads in New Nigeria that is Possible. -PO