Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged governments at all levels to prioritise the reconstruction and maintenance of existing roads and infrastructure rather than embarking on new projects.
Obi made the call in a post shared on his X account on Monday, lamenting the worsening condition of roads across the country and its impact on commuters, businesses and the wider economy.
He recounted how an acquaintance who left Onitsha, Anambra State, on Saturday night and took the first bus to Lagos on Sunday morning had yet to arrive by the time Obi left Lagos at 8pm on Monday.
According to him, the traveller eventually arrived in Lagos at about 2pm on Tuesday, turning what should ordinarily be an eight-hour journey into a trip lasting almost two days.
“I have consistently continued to respectfully appeal to those in office today to prioritise reconstruction and maintenance of existing roads and other infrastructure over commencing new ones,” Obi said.
He argued that the consequences of poor road infrastructure extended beyond the inconvenience faced by commuters, stressing that prolonged travel times also translated into significant economic losses.
“This is not just about bad roads. It is about lost man-hours, stranded passengers sleeping on highways, wasted fuel, damaged vehicles, delayed goods, and businesses losing millions of naira,” he stated.
Obi said Nigerians were more interested in functional infrastructure than projects undertaken primarily for publicity or political recognition.
“Nigerians do not need new projects just for the headlines. We need functional roads that make life and economic activity possible,” he said.
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The former governor further argued that the value of infrastructure should not be measured solely by the size or cost of a project, but by its impact on citizens and economic activities.
“A government must understand that infrastructure is not necessarily about the size of the project; it is about the number of lives and livelihoods it improves,” he added.
Obi’s comments come amid continuing concerns over the condition of major highways across Nigeria, with motorists and transport operators frequently complaining about prolonged travel times, vehicle damage and increased operating costs.
He concluded his message with an expression of optimism about the country’s future.
“A new Nigeria is POSSIBLE, and Nigeria will be OK,” Obi stated.