The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has come under fresh criticism after former Cross River State Governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, argued that Nigeria cannot afford the project.
Duke made the statement during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday, where he questioned the government’s decision to prioritise major infrastructure projects over essential services.
According to the former governor, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway may not achieve its intended purpose, insisting that government resources should instead be directed towards improving sectors such as electricity, healthcare, and education.
“Nigeria cannot afford the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. I don’t think the road will go beyond Epe,” Duke said.
He questioned the need for the project, noting that an existing route already connects Lagos and Calabar, and argued that the government should focus on rehabilitating existing infrastructure.
“There is already a road from Lagos to Calabar. I’ve driven from Lagos to Calabar several times. If the road is poor, fix it,” he stated.
Duke also claimed that some government expenditures do not reflect the current economic realities of the country, adding that funds allocated to the project could have a greater impact if invested in social services.
“The amount spent on that road could be better spent providing electricity or upgrading the healthcare system,” he said.
The PRP presidential candidate further expressed concerns about healthcare funding, describing the allocation to the sector as inadequate for Nigeria’s large population.
“Last year, I think the capital budget that was released for health was barely N36 million. That’s pathetic for a country of 230 million people,” he added.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been one of the major infrastructure projects of the President Bola Tinubu administration, attracting both support and criticism from Nigerians and political stakeholders.
While supporters describe the project as a major economic investment that will improve transportation and boost trade, critics have continued to question its cost, priority, and impact compared with other national needs.
BACKSTORY:
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the major infrastructure projects of the President Bola Tinubu administration, designed to connect Lagos and Calabar through Nigeria’s coastal corridor.
The project has generated both support and criticism, with supporters describing it as a major economic investment that will improve transportation and boost trade, while critics have questioned its cost, funding, and priority compared with other national challenges.
Donald Duke, a former governor of Cross River State and presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, has joined those questioning the project, arguing that government resources should first address basic needs such as power supply, healthcare, and education.
