Members of the Nigerians for Better Nigeria (NBN) have urged the federal government to halt the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal superhighway project and devote more of its energy to pressing priorities that could better the lives of the citizens.
In a statement by the group, its National Secretary, Abdulmumin Sanusi, contended that though the coastal superhighway was important, however, the immediate priority of the government was to address the starvation, hardship and pains Nigerians are currently going through.
According to him, in the rush to begin the construction of the coastal highway from the Lagos axis, many hapless citizens have been rendered jobless as their means of livelihood have been destroyed by the government.
Assessing the project, Sanusi said that outside the controversy over its approval or not by the National Assembly, or whether it followed due process among others or not, the number one priority of most Nigerians today was how to feed and the government should give it the topmost priority.
He queried the construction of a superhighway where in a country, many government hospitals have collapsed and essential drugs are unavailable, and when available, are they unaffordable.
He queried where sub-standard drugs now dominate the markets across the country, and citizens are dying in droves, stating that it is certainly not a priority.
“In a country where workers are demanding a new minimum wage, improved welfare and better working conditions and the government is unwilling to accede to their demands, construction of a superhighway cannot be a priority.
“Construction of a coastal highway cannot be a priority in a country where the power supply has collapsed and the citizens live in total darkness, cannot be a priority.
“Construction of a coastal highway obviously should not be a priority in a country where fuel prices have risen beyond the reach of the ordinary citizens.
