The Presidency has countered former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, labeling it a “visionary endeavor” that will bring prosperity to citizens.
Minister of Works David Umahi emphasized that the project is 70% complete, urging critics to focus on its benefits and cost analysis rather than “distractions.”
Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare also defended the project, calling it a “legacy project” with enormous economic potential.
Obasanjo had described the N15.6 trillion project as a “financial black hole” and a vehicle for massive corruption. He also slammed President Bola Tinubu’s government for approving N21 billion for a new vice-presidential residence amid economic hardship. In response, Tinubu’s spokesperson Temitope Ajayi accused Obasanjo of being jealous and seeking relevance, questioning his credibility due to his own administration’s failures to fix critical infrastructure.
The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over the project’s viability and the government’s priorities. Critics argue that the project’s high cost and lack of transparency raise concerns about corruption and mismanagement. Proponents, on the other hand, see it as a crucial infrastructure project that will boost economic growth and development.
