(EDITORIAL) The Exorbitant Cost of Lagos-Calabar Highway: A Call for Review

The recent announcement of the Lagos-Calabar highway project’s staggering cost has left many Nigerians bewildered and concerned.

The projected expense of N15trn ($11bn) for a 427-kilometer road raises serious questions about the management and prioritization of our nation’s resources.

In contrast, the South Africa-Cairo highway, a significantly longer route spanning over 8,000 kilometers, was completed at a fraction of the cost, approximately $1.5 billion.

In fact, the South Africa – Cairo Highway is the longest highway project in the whole of the African continent.

This egregious disparity in costs raises serious red flags and warrants an immediate review of the project’s budget and implementation plan.

The math simply doesn’t add up. How can a shorter road cost almost three times as much as a significantly longer one?

This raises suspicions of inflated contracts, unnecessary add-ons, and possibly even corruption. We demand answers and a thorough explanation from the relevant authorities.

The Lagos-Calabar highway, though crucial for regional connectivity, must be re-evaluated in light of this glaring discrepancy.

Salient questions have to be asked:

1. Was the contract deliberately inflated?

2. Were additional features or modifications included to justify the inflated cost?

3. Is corruption playing a role in the allocation of funds and contracts?

Diaspora Digital Media urges the Federal Government to initiate an immediate review of the project.

A thorough audit to identify areas of inefficiency and potential corruption must be carried out.

Nigeria deserves better management of its resources. We demand transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.

The Lagos-Calabar highway project must be re-examined to ensure that our nation’s wealth benefits all Nigerians, not just a select few.

May the project not be a conduit pipe!

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