The controversy surrounding the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway raises serious questions about regional equity, political accountability, and the future of the South-South geopolitical zone.
In my humble opinion, the unfolding situation points to two major political and developmental goals. Akwa Ibom was promised a seaport, while Ogun State secured a seaport project contract.
This raises a fundamental question: why does the South-South, despite its enormous contribution to Nigeria’s economy, continue to struggle for infrastructure commensurate with its economic importance?
The South-South ought to be one of Nigeria’s wealthiest regions. Rivers State, in particular, has the economic potential to compete with Lagos and possibly surpass it in certain sectors.
Yet, several states in the region continue to battle multidimensional poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation and inadequate infrastructure. Bayelsa’s poverty challenges, despite its enormous oil wealth, remain a painful contradiction.
The region should arguably have become Nigeria’s Abu Dhabi, but decades of resource extraction have not translated into widespread prosperity. Instead, many communities remain trapped in poverty while a privileged few benefit from the enormous financial flows associated with oil production and security surveillance contracts.
The environmental devastation of the Niger Delta makes this situation even more tragic. Oil pollution, damaged livelihoods and neglected communities have created a double calamity of environmental destruction and economic deprivation that could take generations to reverse.
The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway has now raised another critical concern about the South-South’s place in Nigeria’s infrastructure priorities.
The project began in Lagos, proceeded through Ogun and Ondo states, and was presented as a major coastal highway linking communities and economic centres along Nigeria’s Atlantic coastline.
Read Also: include-elders-women-youth-in-rivers-peace-talks
However, concerns have emerged over whether the approach changes upon reaching Edo State, with sections of the proposed route reportedly relying on the existing East–West Road rather than delivering an entirely new highway through the South-South.
If this reflects the actual project design and implementation, then the region deserves clear answers. Why should the South-West receive substantial new highway infrastructure while the South-South risks being left with the rehabilitation or incorporation of an already deteriorated road? What are the approved construction specifications for Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states?
These are legitimate questions that deserve transparent answers from the Federal Government.
My concern is that the people of the South-South have, for too long, appeared willing to settle for political promises and limited benefits while their region continues to suffer from underdevelopment.
Our political leaders must be held accountable, but citizens must also demand more than announcements, contracts and ceremonial project launches.
The region’s oil wealth should translate into modern highways, functional seaports, industrialisation, environmental restoration, quality education and sustainable employment.
Security surveillance payments cannot become a substitute for genuine development, nor should the benefits of the region’s resources remain concentrated in the hands of a privileged few.
The South-South has the resources, location and economic potential to become one of Africa’s leading industrial and maritime hubs. What it urgently needs is visionary leadership, stronger civic engagement and a population determined to demand measurable results rather than settle for political patronage.
The first two goals have raised serious questions about the distribution of infrastructure opportunities and political benefits. Now, the region must prepare for the third goal.
The question is: will the South-South continue to accept crumbs, or will its people finally insist on the development their resources and sacrifices deserve?
