Stopping Lagos-Calabar Highway Would Be Tragic, Umahi Tells Obi

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway as one of Nigeria’s most innovative infrastructure projects.

He said it would be unfortunate if any future administration were to halt its implementation.

A statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by the Minister’s
Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, quoted
Umahi speaking during an inspection of Section 2 of the highway project in Epe, Lagos State.

Umahi stated that he had only seen reports on social media claiming that Peter Obi, the former Anambra State Governor, had pledged to halt the project if elected president, expressing hope that the reports were inaccurate.

“This project that someone is said to have promised to stop, and I hope he never said so, is highly innovative. I only saw it on social media,” the minister said.

He stated that the coastal highway represents President Bola Tinubu’s long-term vision for economic growth and national development.

The Minister argued that the project would transform transportation, boost trade and unlock investment opportunities across the country.

The minister also challenged supporters of Obi to compare the former Anambra governor’s record in office with Tinubu’s achievements as governor of Lagos State.

“I have challenged the Obedient Movement to compare President Bola Tinubu’s record as Governor of Lagos State with that of Peter Obi as Governor of Anambra State. Let us see the master plans each of them created. Let us see the projects that lived beyond their tenure,” he said.

According to Umahi, the ongoing coastal highway demonstrates Tinubu’s foresight, noting that landmark infrastructure projects should be sustained irrespective of political differences because of their long-term benefits to Nigerians.

He added that efforts to revive other strategic infrastructure, including development around the River Niger corridor, would further stimulate economic activities in the Southeast and other parts of the country.

The minister also criticised what he described as a lack of honesty in political leadership, insisting that no politician could become Nigeria’s president through deceit.

Reflecting on his relationship with Obi during their time in government, Umahi said he served as deputy governor when Obi was governor of Anambra State and chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, adding that political leaders should take responsibility for their past decisions rather than distance themselves from them.

He further accused Obi of failing to speak strongly against the Monday sit-at-home order and other security challenges that affected the Southeast.

Umahi argued that leaders must be truthful and accountable to the people.

He reiterated his support for President Tinubu, disclosing that political leaders in Ebonyi State had endorsed the President and expressing confidence that the Southeast would continue to back his administration.