Former Cross River State Governor and Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, presidential candidate Donald Duke has criticised the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
According to Daily Post, the Donald Duke highway debate reflects Nigeria’s spending priorities.Duke said Nigeria cannot afford the project. Instead, he urged the Federal Government to improve existing infrastructure. He also called for more investment in essential public services.
According to Duke, the proposed highway may not go beyond Epe. He said the project would require huge financial resources. He also questioned the purpose of the ongoing construction.
Furthermore, Duke said Nigeria already has a road connecting Lagos and Calabar. Therefore, he believes the government should repair that road instead. He argued that building another highway is unnecessary.
“I have driven from Lagos to Calabar several times,” Duke said. “If the road is in poor condition, fix it instead of building another one.”
In addition, Duke said government spending should match the country’s economic reality. He urged leaders to invest in projects that directly improve people’s lives.
He added that money for the Donald Duke highway project could strengthen electricity supply. It could also improve healthcare services across the country. According to him, those sectors deserve greater attention.
Moreover, Duke expressed concern over health sector funding. He recalled that last year’s capital allocation was very small. He described the amount as inadequate for over 230 million Nigerians.
He also said the education sector remains poorly funded. As a result, he urged the government to prioritise schools, hospitals and electricity.
Meanwhile, supporters believe the highway will boost transport and economic growth. However, critics argue that Nigeria has more urgent needs.
See also: FG Restricts Motorcycles, Tricycles from Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
The Donald Duke highway comments have renewed debate about national spending. Many Nigerians continue to weigh infrastructure projects against the country’s economic realities.
