By Olusegun Olanrewaju
The apex Igbo socio-cultural institution, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Sunday, lauded the 700 kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal road project estimated to cost N15trn.
The organisation, in a statement by its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, however, called on the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and other key players to see the project from positive economic development it will bring to poor Nigerians instead of an unending debate over it.
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 convinced that the project would be a big plus for Nigerians.
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.
“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 spectre haunting the opposition, particularly about President Tinubu’s prospective legacy in presiding over the project’s completion before the 2027 elections under the aegis of Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, poses a cogent threat to Atiku Abubakar’s final bid for the presidential mantle in 2027.
“The ongoing construction efforts, diligently overseen by Hi-Tech Company, have garnered favour among Nigerians, reinforced by Minister Umahi’s illuminating discourse on the genesis of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road through NDDC’s inception during the Goodluck Jonathan era.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s Secretary General said it is incumbent on Nigerians to uphold the sanctity of Minister Umahi’s endeavours and shield them from undue distractions orchestrated by sponsored malcontents, urging patience and strategic timing for future engagements.
“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.
