Minister of Works, David Umahi, says he is pleased that Niger Delta youths are now defending the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, urging them to ensure President Bola Tinubu returns to office to sustain development in the region.
Umahi made the remarks in an interview with ARISE News, while reacting to criticisms of the coastal highway project by former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke.
The minister faulted Duke’s description of the project as a misplaced priority and an act of land grabbing, arguing that the criticism was inconsistent with his earlier support for the initiative when he was a governor.
Umahi also challenged the argument that Nigeria could not afford the project, questioning why a region that contributes significantly to the nation’s wealth should face opposition to infrastructure development.
He said he was previously among the few people defending the coastal highway but was encouraged that Niger Delta youths were now joining the campaign to protect what he described as their rights and appreciate the President’s efforts.
The minister warned that the region could be neglected if Tinubu failed to secure another term, adding that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project could be jeopardised.
Umahi expressed support for Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and the national congress referenced in his remarks, insisting that the project would be completed successfully.
Boluwatife Enome
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