Nigerians have been left amazed after images of a coastal highway constructed in Benin Republic circulated on Instagram. Nigerians in the comment section were quick to point out the stark differences between the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway under construction and the Benin Republic version.
Expressing their awe on social media, several Nigerians pointed out how the Benin Republic road was significantly superior to what was being constructed in Nigeria despite costing almost 5x less.
A user with the handle deidehen said “@daveumahi Sir, please take a moment to look at the quality, design, and spaciousness of this coastal road project in Benin Republic and compare it with what is currently being constructed in Nigeria. The Benin road looks more impressive and better finished, yet Nigeria is reported to have spent significantly more. One project appears driven by a genuine desire for national progress; the other raises serious questions about priorities and value for money. Our coastal road is still incomplete, yet it has already claimed lives. This money will not follow anyone to heaven. May God deliver us all and grant us leaders who put the people first…”
sir_kele_ayodele noted “Bad governance in Nigeria no fit allow Nigeria get just 1 state wey go clean get good infrastructure like this shame on our government and civilians, nah Government duty to put good infrastructure nah civilian duty to make sure say them no mess am up. Nigeria get long way to go.”
chineduchiemeka said “Someone please tag the glutton who calls himself a ‘professor of engineering in practice’ and his reckless principal in Aso rock. Let them see what effective management of resources means.”
“Wait are our politicians not on this same internet seeing this kind of infrastructure being put in place in their own backyards Can we start tagging them to post like this pls tag minister of works Dave umami to this post” sonerodagr8test pointed out.
zezesahara said “This is why I believe Nigeria may need to consider regional separation or stronger autonomy for balanced development. In my view, the current coexistence creates conflicts and prevents certain regions from progressing.”
otunba_charles noted “The contractors in Nigeria seems to always told to do the least form of roads infrastructure, no pedestrians or bicycle plans or beautiful cast 😢”
Cost of Both Projects
The cost of Nigeria’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is significantly higher when compared with the coastal road project in neighbouring Benin Republic. Benin’s coastal road project, known as the Route des Pêches, has been estimated at about $128 million for a 37.7-kilometre stretch, translating to approximately $3.4 million per kilometre.
By comparison, the first section of Nigeria’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, covering about 47.47 kilometres, has a financing package of approximately $747 million. This puts the cost at about $15.7 million per kilometre, roughly 4.6 times the estimated cost per kilometre of Benin Republic’s coastal road.
The $747 million figure relates to financing for the first section of the Lagos-Calabar highway and not the entire 700-kilometre project with the government estimating the projected cost of the full Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway at about $11 billion.
Benin’s Route des Pêches project has also been implemented in phases, with the second phase estimated by the Beninese government at about CFA84 billion for road sections totalling roughly 46 kilometres.
