Lagos-Calabar Highway won’t go anywhere, Nigeria can’t afford it – Donald Duke
Duke Critiques Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project
Donald Duke, the presidential candidate for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has expressed skepticism about the Nigerian government’s ability to finance the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. During an interview on Arise Television’s “Prime Time” on Tuesday, Duke referred to the project as “unnecessary” and suggested that funds would be better allocated to essential services like electricity and healthcare.
“Nigeria cannot afford the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. I don’t think the road will go beyond Epe,” Duke stated. He added that his past experiences driving on the route revealed more land reclamation than practical roadway.
Duke emphasized that an existing road connects Lagos to Calabar, and he advocated for improvements to the current infrastructure rather than embarking on new projects. “If the road is poor, fix it,” he remarked.
He criticized government spending on projects that do not align with the country’s pressing needs. Duke highlighted that only 36 million naira was allocated for healthcare in the previous year, a figure he described as “pathetic” for a country with a population of 230 million. He also pointed out the inadequate funding for the education system.
Duke’s comments underscore concerns about prioritization in public spending, especially in vital sectors such as health and education.
