BY BASSEY ETUKUDO

The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway has come under focus for some time now. A 731.5-kilometre road that will link all the coastal states from Lagos state to Cross River state, traversing Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, it is easily a signature project of the Bola Tinubu administration.

To be clear, the coastal highway project has been in the news on and off since the First Republic when the then finance minister Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh mooted the idea of a limited version covering the Niger Delta states. It was again mentioned in the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari when the Niger Delta Development Commission announced its interest in the project with the support of the federal government. However, no administration has picked up the gauntlet to activate and actualise the project as the Tinubu administration has done under its Renewed Hope Agenda.

No infrastructure project can be as ground-breaking and transformational as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road. With a provision for a rail line, it will open up the hydrocarbon belt of these coastal states, all of which are oil-producing states to new investment opportunities in refineries, petrochemicals and energy plants. Along with the massive potential for tourism from eco-tourism and beaches, marine investments and new town developments, the highway is a game-changer for the Nigerian economy. This is why it isn’t easy to understand why some people prefer to play politics with an investment that holds such massive opportunities for Nigeria’s sustained growth by opposing the decision of the federal government to commence the project.

All over the world, developed economies find a way to envision and finance projects that expand their economies, creating new growth opportunities and opening up new frontiers to development. Even in tough economic times of tight money supply, the role of government to stimulate recovery through infrastructure spending cannot be downplayed. This is the basic idea behind the success of the Keynesian school of economics by John Maynard Keynes who advocated for targeted spending to get an economy out of the woods. That is the philosophy behind the coastal highway being constructed between Lagos and Calabar.

There have been worries about the cost of the road, which is estimated at N15 trillion, especially because of the country’s current economic difficulties and huge debt profile. Some critics have also pointed to issues such as the selection of the contractor; allegations that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was not done; and the sum of N1 trillion paid to the contractor. On the cost, it is important to note that the Lagos-Calabar Highway is a greenfield road, which will traverse some of the harshest terrains in Nigeria, the swampy coastal belt, with several bridges along the route. This informs its huge construction cost.

While the cost is seen as high, the fact of the matter, as works minister Dave Umahi has stated on several occasions, is that the federal government will only bear a fraction of that cost as the project will run under the EPC+F (engineering, procurement and construction plus financing). This unique model ensures that the contractor sources the funds for the job, aside from the counterpart provided by the federal government, part of which has been paid to ensure that work commences. The contractor finance model frees up funds for the federal government to deploy to existing roads, where work is ongoing at a commendable pace, ensuring that existing roads are not abandoned. Questions regarding the EIA for the road are misplaced as it has not only been done, it is constantly being reviewed since the road is an organic project and the government is responding to pleas to adjust. Given that the project traverses many coastal states and communities, the EIA will continue and cannot be a one-off exercise.

The pace at which the road project has taken off should be a source of satisfaction to critics and not a talking point for cynics. The government’s decision to pay a counterpart fund of N1 trillion is a testament to its willingness to make the necessary investment to drive the project and the country’s economic recovery, it is not a payment for work that will not be done as happened in the past. This commitment addresses the perennial problem of piecemeal financing of infrastructure jobs, which has made it impossible to finish road projects.

The speed and professionalism in handling the project show an administration intent on delivering on its promises. One other factor that gives hope is the reputation of the works minister who has deployed his expertise as a civil engineer to the infrastructure agenda of the federal government, ensuring that Nigerians get value for their construction naira. Umahi is a thorough-bred and experienced engineer who acquitted himself well as the governor of Ebonyi state where he registered exploits in infrastructure development.

The Tinubu administration inherited an economy challenged on many fronts, especially on the fiscal front where national income receipts have been dropping for many years now. The government has chosen to expand the country’s economy by making much-needed investments in infrastructure such as Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to create new opportunities. Already, the FG has got the buy-in of stakeholders across the states covered, and will soon turn the sod on the project from the Calabar end so that work progresses from both ends and the 2031 target for finishing the project is met. It is a commendable initiative and deserves the support of all Nigerians.

https://www.thecable.ng/lagos-calabar-coastal-road-the-gamechanger-for-nigerias-economy/amp/

Ngwamankillyou2:
With our oil money, it will not be well with those resourceless attachées.

CyrusVI:


The name of the writer is "Bassey", so he's a Calabar man, he has as much rights as u do


It's funny tho, that nobody knows u and also that the most important people from that side, that is the Monarch,Govs and the heavyweight politicians from there already threw their weight behind the FG

Your opinion, therefore, is 🗑️

Ngwamankillyou2:


Bassey from Renu land you mean, Calabar Man was the second Biafra president so what's your business on that.

CyrusVI:


Are u Igbo??

My comment has nothing to do with Igbos and since u claim "it's your oil money" I assume you were referring to the South South states


Igbos no get oil money, the derivative is even the least across those three Southern region

The most affected are the SS and they're happy with it... They are all that matter here

helinues:
Good

Ngwamankillyou2:


They no get oil but you are paying 13 percent to them like your imaginary south South...the oil from Azam in Abia State to obigbo in rivers I hope it's in your resourceless barren land Mr scare face...or your so called South south no Igbos there... continue to wallow in miserable life soon you guys will collect and join your arewa brothers blacky.

Ngwamankillyou2:


Bassey from Renu land you mean, Calabar Man was the second Biafra president so what's your business on that.

aswani:


Effiong was never Biafran president. Besides Biafra was an Igbo republic that never gave Eastern minorities a referendum in order to determine if they wanted to be part of Biafra.

We saw how they celebrated their liberation from their enforced incarceration in ala Biafra when Federal troops took over their various towns and cities and chased the Biafran army further inwards back into ala igbo.

TimeManager:

Even if you produce two cups of oil daily like in Abia, you're entitled to 13% according to the law, nothwithstanding the SE produces the least oil. Kogi, a northern state is also collecting 13%.

-Kiss the truth!

Ngwamankillyou2:


Those who celebrate were people like you and from your side parasite... even today you are not welcome in South south we still run things there..

Here is what makes Biafra

Republic of Biafra in May 1967
Status
Partially recognised state
Capital
Enugu (1967)
Umuahia (1967–1969)
Owerri (1969–1970)
Awka (1970)
Largest city
Onitsha
Common languages
Predominantly
Igbo[1]
English
Minority languages
Ibibio
Ijaw
Efik
Ejagham
Ogoni
Ethnic groups
Igbo (70%)[2]
Efik
Ibibio
Ogoni
Ijaw
Demonym(s)
Biafran

The second president was effiong illiterate Yoruba Muslim.

aswani:


Biafra is an Igbo entity, nothing wrong with it.

Ijaw, Ogoni, Ibibio, Efik, Kalabari, Ikwerre, none of them were asked or wanted to be part of it. Like I said, going by the celebration and unbounded joy when they were liberated from the clutches of the Biafran army.

Phillip Effiong was never President of Biafra, Ikemba effectively handed over to him to carry out the surrender.

Some say it was done deliberately to avoid the spectacle of an Igbo man surrendering to The Nigerian Army but I myself don't believe that.

You run things where, is it in Ikwerre land that Ndigbo properties were seized that you run? Dey play.

Ngwamankillyou2:


Ikwere Is Igbo you illiterate.

Biafran ststes include all states from south East and South South.

You strangers don't know anything about here just like you are easy to be identified by you guys look.

Your parasite nature won't work with us.

We are one region and one look and culture you guys aren't.

You can join arewa your brothers.

aswani:


The only part of South South that Ndigbo can lay claim to is Anioma.

What part of Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River or Akwa Ibom ìs part Of Your Biafra? Which of those do you share a look or culture with?

For Rivers, let's even allowed you Ikwerre (sorry to my Ikwerre pipo), you want to claim Kalabari or Ogoni too?

Longer throat kpai you there, comot hand for South South kwik kwik.

Ngwamankillyou2:


Look at Yoruba demon claiming ikwere Igbo..

Ikwere kill you there, soon you will claim Efik aturu.

aswani:


Who is claiming what? That South South you see so, I sure say I sabi am pass you sef.

I am proud of what I am, I don't need to claim anytin else.

Ngwamankillyou2:


Keep kwayet stranger your imaginary South South is our land you can't know my place than me..

Bloody parasite.
South south and south north kill you there.

aswani:


South South is now your land, and you are calling someone else a parasite.

Longer throat go soon give dis one stories that touch, you better leave South South alone, it stopped being yours when twelve states were created by GOWON.

Ngwamankillyou2:
With our oil money, it will not be well with those resourceless attachées.

Ngwamankillyou2:


Ikwere Is Igbo you illiterate.

Biafran ststes include all states from south East and South South.

You strangers don't know anything about here just like you are easy to be identified by you guys look.

Your parasite nature won't work with us.

We are one region and one look and culture you guys aren't.

You can join arewa your brothers.

Ngwamankillyou2:


Look at Yoruba demon claiming ikwere Igbo..

Ikwere kill you there, soon you will claim Efik aturu.

Gajagojo:

Kill your father

Ngwamankillyou2:


You are already dead parasite you won't gain nothing here.

Go home boy.

Gajagojo:

Ikwerre are not Igbo you blockhead

Your mouth no big pass anybody own

Gajagojo:

Your father will die like a dog

Ngwamankillyou2:


Your own already dead and your mum long clitoris rotten in hell.

Gajagojo:

Mumu
Na clitoris be your family problem
You no even get brain to curse
You are a complete blockhead
You will die in bitrerness