The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi has advised the Federal Government to refrain from launching new road construction projects and instead focus heavily on rehabilitating and maintaining the country’s decaying existing road networks.
Mr. Peter Obi made this known in a statement on Monday, where he argued that undertaking new highway ventures and dualization projects offers marginal benefits compared to the urgent necessity of fixing critical corridors already in place.
“There is a pertinent reason I have consistently advocated that we should refrain from initiating new road construction projects until we have thoroughly rehabilitated and maintained our existing road network.”
“Instead of undertaking new ventures and dualization projects that offer marginal benefits, our primary focus ought to be on repairing the critical roads already in place,”Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor cited the current dilapidated state of the Asaba–Benin Expressway as a classic example of critical national infrastructure left to rot while attention is diverted elsewhere.
He described the highway as a vital artery within Nigeria’s transportation network that serves travellers traversing from Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Rivers, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Abia, Enugu, and portions of Benue and Kogi States to Lagos.
“Despite its significance, substantial sections of this road are in a lamentable condition.”
“It has become a major impediment, precipitating persistent traffic congestion and inflicting undue hardship on travellers, businesses, and transport operators,” Obi said.
According to him, the gridlock and decay seen on the Asaba-Benin route are not unique but rather reflect a tragic reality mirrored across many of Nigeria’s busiest national highways.
He cautioned against embarking on white elephant projects simply for political optics, stressing that what ordinary citizens require are functional, motorable roads rather than grand announcements designed to gather public attention.
“Our efforts should be directed towards the reconstruction and maintenance of our current road infrastructure before we announce plans for new road projects,” he insisted.
“The Nigerian populace requires functional and motorable roads, not merely projects that garner public attention,” he added.
Obi added that efforts aimed at superficial improvements for political gain should not supersede the urgent need to address the condition of our existing, critical roadways, maintaining that a new Nigeria remains possible.