Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Oghene Egoh, has strongly criticised ex-Minister of Transportation and former presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, over his remarks on the Federal Government’s Lagos–Calabar coastal road project.
Amaechi had reportedly described the multi-billion-naira project as fraudulent, stating that he would have cancelled it if he had become president.
Speaking in Lagos on Monday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Egoh, who represented Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2024, said Amaechi’s comments were “in bad taste” and lacked moral justification.
Egoh accused Amaechi of failing to execute similar developmental initiatives during his tenure as minister, particularly in the South-South region. He alleged that instead of prioritising infrastructure in the Niger Delta, Amaechi channelled efforts toward constructing a railway to Niger Republic.
According to Egoh, the Lagos–Calabar coastal road is a “transformational infrastructure” that will strengthen inter-state relations, facilitate trade, boost economic growth across Lagos and the South-South, and create massive employment opportunities. He added that the project would significantly improve transportation networks and promote national unity.
Egoh also praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as “bold and decisive” reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies. While acknowledging the current economic hardship, he expressed optimism that the benefits of these policies would be felt in the long term.
“Hunger in the country is a temporary challenge. Prices of rice and tomatoes have already begun to drop, and with time, other food commodities will follow suit,” he said, noting that the administration is working to empower farmers, boost local food production, and reduce reliance on imports.
He urged Nigerians to exercise patience and support the government’s reform agenda, stressing that “what previous administrations could not achieve, President Tinubu is now accomplishing.”
