Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has said that government’s efforts should be directed, more towards reconstruction and maintenance of the country’s dilapidated existing road infrastructure before announcement of plans for new road projects”
Mr. Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), said this in an X post, stressing that he has “consistently advocated that we should refrain from initiating new road construction projects until we have thoroughly rehabilitated and maintained our existing road network.”
According to the former Anambra State Governor, the “primary focus ought to be on repairing the critical roads already in place,” instead of undertaking new ventures and dualization projects that offer marginal benefits, pointing out that substantial sections of the nation’s busiest highways are in a lamentable situation.
He gave as example the Asaba–Benin Road, “a vital artery within Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure,” serving those who travel from Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Rivers, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Abia, Enugu, and portions of Benue and Kogi States to Lagos.
Pointing out that portions of this very important road are in a deplorable condition, he noted that its sorry state “has become a major impediment, precipitating persistent traffic congestion and inflicting undue hardship on travellers, businesses, and transport operators.”
He said regrettably, the situation of the road is not unique but reflects the reality on many of the country’s busiest national highways.
He insisted that what the Nigerian people require are “functional and motorable roads, not merely projects that garner public attention,” stressing that “efforts aimed at superficial improvements for political gain should not supersede the urgent need to address the condition of our existing, critical roadways.”
