Peter Obi to FG: Rebuild Nigeria’s Bad Roads Before Starting New Highways

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of Nigeria's existing road network instead of embarking on new highway projects.

Obi made the appeal in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, arguing that repairing critical roads across the country would have a more immediate impact on Nigerians than announcing fresh infrastructure projects.

According to the former Anambra State governor, many of the country's major highways have deteriorated significantly, making travel difficult for commuters while increasing transportation costs and disrupting economic activities.

He said available public resources should be directed toward restoring existing roads to motorable condition before new construction projects are initiated.

Obi cited the Asaba–Benin Road as one of the country's most strategic highways in urgent need of rehabilitation, noting that it serves as a major transport corridor linking travellers from Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Rivers, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Abia, Enugu and parts of Benue and Kogi states to Lagos.

According to him, the poor condition of long stretches of the highway has resulted in persistent gridlock, delayed travel times and increased hardship for motorists, businesses and commercial transport operators.

He added that the challenges experienced on the Asaba–Benin Road reflect the condition of several other federal highways across the country.

"Our efforts should be directed towards the reconstruction and maintenance of our current road infrastructure before we announce plans for new road projects. The Nigerian populace requires functional and motorable roads, not merely projects that garner public attention," Obi said.

The former governor argued that infrastructure projects designed primarily for political visibility should not take precedence over addressing the immediate needs of Nigerians.

He maintained that investing in the rehabilitation of existing highways would deliver greater economic and social benefits than initiating new dualisation and road construction projects with limited short-term impact.

Obi concluded his statement with his familiar message of optimism, saying, "A New Nigeria is Possible."