Former senator Ben Murray-Bruce has defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, responding to former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke’s criticism of the road and urging him not to undermine a major national infrastructure project for political advantage.
In an open letter addressed to Duke, Murray-Bruce acknowledged the highway’s high cost but argued that major infrastructure investments require substantial funding to deliver long-term benefits. He also defended President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the project and backed Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri’s commendation of the highway.
Key Highlights
- Ben Murray-Bruce has defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway following Donald Duke’s comments.
- Murray-Bruce acknowledged the project’s high cost but argued that its long-term value justified the investment.
- He said President Bola Tinubu was keeping his funding commitment and maintained that construction was progressing.
- The former senator defended Governor Douye Diri’s praise for the highway.
- Murray-Bruce urged Duke not to allow political considerations to undermine a project of national importance.
Murray-Bruce Responds to Donald Duke
In the letter, Murray-Bruce recalled travelling with Duke along the coastline where the highway is being constructed, saying he remembered Duke praising the vision behind the project.
He said Duke’s recent comments describing the road as a misplaced priority therefore came as a surprise.
“My dear brother Donald Duke,” Murray-Bruce began, recalling their earlier journey and the former governor’s reported appreciation of the project’s vision.
Although acknowledging that the highway was expensive, Murray-Bruce argued that major infrastructure projects often require significant investment to deliver benefits for future generations.
“Great nations are built by leaders willing to make bold, costly investments that will serve generations yet unborn,” he wrote.
Murray-Bruce Defends Tinubu’s Funding Commitment
The former senator also defended the Federal Government’s commitment to financing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
According to Murray-Bruce, President Tinubu had committed to funding the project and was honouring that commitment. He further claimed that there was no funding shortfall and that construction was progressing.
Murray-Bruce described the quality of construction as being of an international standard. However, the claims about funding, project progress and construction quality were not independently verified in the statement.
Former Senator Backs Douye Diri’s Commendation
Murray-Bruce also defended Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri’s positive remarks about the coastal highway.
Responding to the description of Diri as a “local champion”, Murray-Bruce argued that the governor was recognising what he considered a major infrastructure achievement.
“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,” he said.
Murray-Bruce added that he agreed with Diri’s assessment of the project.
Read also:
- Gov. Diri Faults Donald Duke Criticism Of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Project
- Umahi Says Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Is Not Abandoned, Explains East-West Road Realignment
- Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Realignment Sparks Controversy as Ondo Coastline Faces Bypass
Murray-Bruce Cautions Against Politicising Coastal Highway
The former senator acknowledged Duke’s reported presidential ambition and recognised his right to present his position to Nigerians.
However, he cautioned against allowing political considerations to undermine a project he described as being of national importance.
“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,” Murray-Bruce wrote.
He urged Duke and other political actors to separate political disagreements from the assessment of major infrastructure projects.
To reinforce his argument, Murray-Bruce compared the highway project with the United States’ Apollo moon programme, noting that both required substantial investment.
“When mankind went to the moon, it was neither cheap nor free. But it was necessary. So is this road,” he wrote.
The exchange adds to the public debate over the cost, funding, construction and national importance of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
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