Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Sowunmi, has commended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as “a fantastic vision” and “a totally wowing” infrastructural initiative that reflects a renewed sense of progress and ambition for Nigeria.
He described the Lagos-Calabar project as an ambitious, durable undertaking.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Monday, Sowunmi said his remarks were not a show of political alignment but an acknowledgment of a transformative effort.
“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, by every stretch of imagination, is a fantastic vision. And I think they will deliver it on time.”
He continued, “Let me put some context to it, because sometimes in this country, people can easily tar everybody with one brush. I have by no means joined his government, and I’m not speaking for him,” he clarified.
Sowunmi narrated how he came to assess the project after interacting with young Nigerians frustrated over poor infrastructure. “I had sat in one of the saloons in Abuja having a haircut, and I listened to the agony of some young people talking about the Maraba Road,” he said. “I sent a text to the minister to say, sir, I would like to give you some feedback and ask you some questions.”
According to him, the invitation to inspect the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway came afterward. “He said he was on his way out of town and would it be okay if I came to Lagos to look at the coastal road?”
The PDP chieftain said he was impressed by what he saw. “The scale of that project was wow. It was totally wowing,” he remarked. “If you’ve ever been to any of the coastal cities in the world, like, you know, Dubai and some of the areas where they have big coastal economy… one of the things that we have had to do, which we are now doing, is to build a coastal infrastructure that can give them a bit of an opportunity to drive fast…and also have the opportunity of the coastal economy that gives you resorts, waterfronts, and all of that.”
Sowunmi also stressed the need to build consensus on national development rather than viewing everything through a partisan lens.
On the controversies surrounding compensation, cost, and environmental concerns, Sowunmi said his on-site inspection revealed little evidence of unjust displacement.
“That area where some woman had said she had put in some infrastructure to get $250,000 or $1 million was one of the places where I wanted to see,” he stated. “I saw that there was nothing there and I think what they need to really do is actually charge her to court or get the people that she has taken money from in Europe to take her to court to come and justify whatever money she claims she has done there.”
He urged Nigerians to look beyond corruption narratives and support developmental projects in good faith. “We must be careful not to assume that all of our glamorisation of corruption in our country has not been the reason why everywhere we go we don’t want to see value,” he said. “Let us accept that while they’re being charged, we can’t be the one auditing them on the job. Our duty is to insist that what they want to do gets done.”
Responding to concerns about accountability, Sowunmi defended the role of the media and civic actors but called for balance. “No one should push or harass or resist people like you who want to put their feet to the fire.”
He concluded with a reflection on Nigeria’s broader developmental journey. “Close your eyes for a second and try to imagine if you have that coastal road running all the way and you have the linkages in Makurdi and all of the other areas where they’re going to connect them,” Sowunmi said. “We can all accept that if we choose democracy, elections will come in circles… but we must not allow hate and anger to blind us to progress.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
The post Sowunmi: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway a Fantastic Vision, Hate and Anger Shouldn’t Blind Us to Progress appeared first on Arise News.