Sylvester Idowu in Warri
The Publisher of the ‘Common Good Letter’, Rev. David Ugolor, has recommended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that the persevering with Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway be aligned with sections of the present East–West Road within the Niger Delta.
He maintained that the directive, if correctly designed, transparently financed and successfully applied, may turn into one of the crucial consequential infrastructure selections affecting the Niger Delta underneath the current administration.
Rev. Ugolor, in an announcement issued yesterday said {that a} protected and sturdy East–West Road would join communities, cut back transport prices, strengthen regional commerce, assist agriculture and trade, appeal to funding and save lives.
“The ‘Common Good Letter’ has constantly referred to as on President Tinubu and the federal authorities to deal with the East–West Road as a nationwide financial precedence.
“While we welcomed the renewed presidential consideration, the choice may turn into a defining problem within the 2027 presidential election—however its worth should finally be measured by accomplished kilometres, protected roads, clear expenditure and financial advantages, not bulletins.
“However, the knowledge at present out there to residents stays incomplete and doubtlessly complicated because the announcement seems to concern the alignment of a part of the coastal freeway with the present East–West Road.
“It should not yet be presented as a fully funded and procured reconstruction programme until the Government publishes the governing approvals and implementation details,” he noticed.
Ugolor additionally referred to as on the Federal Government to make clear whether or not the introduced directive represents a realignment of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway onto specified sections of the present East–West Road.
He referred to as for a reconstruction and enlargement of these sections as a part of the coastal-highway contract, a brand new procurement requiring separate Federal Executive Council approval, a variation of an current contract; or a coordinated programme involving current East–West Road contractors, the Niger Delta Development Commission, state governments and the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway contractor.
“These distinctions are crucial as a result of a number of sections of the East–West Road are already coated by current contracts, emergency interventions or works being undertaken by totally different public establishments.
“Without a publicly available implementation framework, there is a serious risk of overlapping mandates, duplicated contracts, double funding and uncertainty over responsibility for delivery,” he warned.
The Common Good Letter writer additionally referred to as on the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi,
to publish a complete East– West Road and Coastal Highway Integration Plan setting out the precise alignment, sections and kilometres affected.
“The engineering justification and comparative evaluation of the unique and revised routes, the pavement, drainage, flood-control and climate-resilience designs in addition to the estimated value of the revised works.
“Whether the expenditure was supplied for within the 2026 federal price range or would require a supplementary appropriation, whether or not funding will come immediately from the Federal Government, borrowing, personal finance, concession preparations or a mix of those sources.
“Any Federal Executive Council and National Assembly approvals required the applicable procurement method and whether the existing coastal-highway contractor will execute the work or a competitive process will select contractors?”
“These questions require solutions for the truth that all current East–West Road contracts, contractors, contract values, funds, completion ranges and excellent obligations, how the brand new association will have an effect on current contracts and stop duplicate funds, the respective roles of the Federal Ministry of Works, NDDC, state governments and different establishments, and the timetable, milestones, warranties, efficiency bonds and preparations for impartial technical monitoring in addition to funding have to be defined.
“The reported declare that the Federal Government is offering 30 per cent of the broader coastal-highway financing whereas international banks present 70 per cent additionally requires clarification.
“The authorities also needs to state whether or not that financing association covers the newly aligned East–West Road sections, establish the monetary establishments concerned, disclose the fabric financing phrases and clarify any sovereign ensures or contingent liabilities.
“Changing the route of a major public infrastructure project must also be accompanied by updated engineering studies, environmental and social assessments, cost estimates, procurement approvals, financing arrangements and safeguards for affected communities,” Ugolor added.
The Common Good Letter writer additionally referred to as on the Minister of Works to convene a public technical and accountability briefing devoted to the East–West Road.
“The briefing ought to current one authoritative implementation map and contract matrix displaying, at a look, who’s accountable for every part, how a lot has been accepted and paid, the work accomplished, the remaining milestones and the anticipated completion date.
“The folks of the Niger Delta shouldn’t must reconcile contradictory bulletins to grasp what authorities is doing on their most essential regional freeway. As we welcome the coverage path, we now ask for the plan, contracts, financing and measurable supply framework.
“The East–West Road must not remain a road of repeated promises, overlapping interventions and uncompleted contracts. It must become a transparent, climate-resilient economic corridor that moves people, businesses and the Niger Delta economy,” Ugolor additional declared.
