Obi replies FG, insists coastal highway not priority

• Says accusations divisive, distraction • Ex- militants warn critics of highway

LABOUR Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections, Peter Obi, has flayed the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for accusing him of inciting the South- East against the multitrillion- naira Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project.

Umahi had, on Wednesday, accused Obi of inciting the people against the Federal Government ( FG) over the

Lagos- Calabar coastal road project during a stakeholders’ meeting on the road project. Obi, however, insisted, yesterday, that his position on the highway remained the same, saying that the allegation that he was inciting the people was divisive actions to distract from the main issue he raised, which was that the project would lead to loss of jobs, increase hunger, and spread poverty in the already land troubled.

He insisted that priority should be given to internal roads first to move the economy.

Obi’s reaction came just as ex- militant leaders, under the aegis of the 21st Century

Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience ( 21st CYNDAC), warned critics of the Calabar- Lagos Highway to desist from discouraging the Federal Government from achieving the first major landmark project in the Niger Delta.

While they commended President Bola Tinubu for the approval of the road that would transverse the coastlines of the Niger Delta, they said the highway was both a political and economic masterstroke by the present administration.

In a statement, signed by its Coordinator, Izon Ebi, the group said the project, when completed, would bring about an economic boom and tourism renaissance in the Niger Delta area.

The statement added that they were baffled that some people were protesting the “noble economic thrust of the President”.

The statement read: “We are forced to wonder if it’s because the project is not sited in their region or they can no more hide their hate and disdain for the Niger Delta people. We the people of the Niger Delta support the President’s noble stride, and, on this note, send clear warnings to haters of the Niger Delta to steer clear.

PHOTO: LUCY LADIDI ATEKO Member, House Committee on Downstream, Peter Aniekwe ( left); Chairman, House Committee on Midstream, Henry Odi Okoje; Chairman, House Committee on Downstream, Ikenga Ugo Chinyere and Deputy Chairman Downstream, Aliyu Mustapha during a briefing on the findings on the causes of fuel scarcity, held at the National Assembly Abuja… yesterday.