TheCable

Governors in the south-south geopolitical zone have declared support for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

The geopolitical zone comprises Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Delta.

The governors declared their support for the road construction at the end of their meeting on Monday in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa.

Godwin Obaseki of Edo and Douye Diri of Bayelsa attended the meeting while their counterparts sent representatives.

The federal government recently commenced the construction of the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while traversing eight other states. 

However, the project has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians, with critics raising concerns over funding and the demolition of structures on the right of way. 

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, and Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), have criticised the project, describing it as a case of “misplaced priority”. 

‘WORK SHOULD ALSO COMMENCE IN CALABAR’

The south-south governors commended President Bola Tinubu for the project, demanding that work should also commence at the Calabar end of the road.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Obaseki, who is the chair of the south-south governors council, said when completed, the road will connect coastal communities to commercial cities in Nigeria.

“We thank Mr. President Ahmed Tinubu for commencing the construction of the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar, and appeal that for speedy completion of this road, work should also commence from the Calabar end,” he said.

The governors also called on the federal government to expedite work on the east-west road.