TheCable

The Niger Delta Youths Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) has asked the federal government to carry the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) along in negotiations involving the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

In a statement by Jude Teidor, NDYCPP national president, and George Okitikpi, its national secretary, the coalition expressed concerns of potential duplication of efforts and financial waste.

NDYCPP noted that the road project, spanning over 750 kilometers and featuring 160 bridges connecting the Niger Delta with Ibeju Lekki in Lagos, was originally conceived by the federal government with the NDDC entrusted to oversee its development.

It said since 2014, the NDDC has invested over N25 billion in feasibility studies, project scope assessments, and detailed technical studies.

The coalition commended Tinubu’s commitment to national development but raised concerns that the ministry of works was pursuing negotiations for new construction contracts on the East-West road without involving the NDDC.

The group said the move has raised suspicions of a build operate and transfer (BOT) arrangement that would toll the road for years, potentially rendering previous NDDC efforts useless.

The coalition, therefore, urged Tinubu to direct the ministry of works to involve the NDDC in further negotiations with Hitech Construction Company on the project.

The group also asked Tinubu to mandate the house of representatives committee on works to closely monitor developments on the road project within four weeks.

The NDYCPP emphasised the importance of harmonizing efforts between the NDDC and the ministry of works to ensure that their actions align with the existing plans for the project.

The coalition expressed confidence that these steps could transform the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project into a successful example of effective governance and collaboration for the benefit of all Nigerians.