By Boluwatife Kehinde-Idowu Former federal lawmaker, Ben Murray-Bruce, has criticised former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke over his comments on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, defending the project as a worthwhile investment in Nigeria’s infrastructure despite its high cost. In a post shared via X on Friday, Murray-Bruce recalled that……
Former federal lawmaker, Ben Murray-Bruce, has criticised former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke over his comments on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, defending the project as a worthwhile investment in Nigeria’s infrastructure despite its high cost.
In a post shared via X on Friday, Murray-Bruce recalled that Duke, who is also the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and he had previously travelled along the coastline where the road is now being constructed and Duke had praised the vision behind it.
TVC News Online reports that Duke had claimed that Nigeria lacked the financial capacity to undertake the project, arguing that the government was already borrowing to fund infrastructure development.
“It’s just not feasible. We don’t have the kind of money to do it. We’re literally borrowing. We can’t do it,” he said.
Addressing Duke as his “dear brother,” Murray-Bruce acknowledged concerns about the cost of the highway but argued that major infrastructure projects require substantial investment to deliver long-term benefits.
“Yes, the Coastal Highway is expensive. We agree on that. But nothing of lasting value in this world is cheap or free,” he said.
He added that President Bola Tinubu had committed to funding the project and was fulfilling that commitment.
“Mr President committed to funding this project, and he is keeping that commitment. There is no funding shortfall,” Murray-Bruce said.
He also maintained that construction was progressing and described the quality of the work as “second to none.”
Murray-Bruce cited Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri’s commendation of the highway, arguing that Diri recognised the quality of the infrastructure.
“When Governor Douye Diri commended the road, he was not speaking as a local champion; he was speaking as a statesman who recognises infrastructure of international standard when he sees it. I agree with him completely,” he said.
The former senator also acknowledged Duke’s presidential ambition, suggesting that it formed part of the context for his criticism of the project.
“Donald, I understand that you are running for president, and that your statement is political. That is the nature of the season, and I respect your right to make your case to Nigerians,” he said.
However, Murray-Bruce cautioned against allowing political considerations to undermine nationally significant infrastructure projects.
“But we must be careful never to undermine a project of national importance, or the President delivering it, simply for political advantage,” he added. Comparing the highway project to the United States’ moon mission, Murray-Bruce argued that the cost of major undertakings should be considered alongside their long-term value.
“When mankind went to the moon, it was neither cheap nor free. But it was necessary. So is this road,” he said.
