Ben Murray-Bruce, former senator representing Bayelsa east, has faulted Donald Duke, presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), over his comments on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
In an X post on Friday, Murray-Bruce said Duke’s remarks were surprising, recalling that they had travelled along the coastline where the highway is being constructed and that Duke had praised the vision behind the project.
Duke recently questioned the feasibility of extending the coastal highway beyond Epe in Lagos, said the project is another case of misplaced priority from the federal government.
The former Cross River governor, who made the remarks during an interview on Arise News, said government’s expenditure should reflect the country’s current economic realities and that some ongoing projects do not represent prudent use of scarce resources.
But Murray-Bruce acknowledged that the highway was expensive, saying that major infrastructure projects require substantial investments to deliver long-term benefits.
“My dear brother Donald Duke, some years ago, you and I travelled along the stretch of the coastline where this road now runs, and I clearly remember your praise for the vision behind it. That is why your recent comments surprised me,” he wrote.
“Yes, the Coastal Highway is expensive. We agree on that. But nothing of lasting value in this world is cheap or free. Great nations are built by leaders willing to make bold, costly investments that will serve generations yet unborn.”
Murray-Bruce said President Bola Tinubu had committed to funding the project and was fulfilling that commitment.
He also defended the quality of construction, saying work was progressing and describing the project as being built to international standards.
The former senator noted that Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, had commended the highway, saying his remarks reflected recognition of infrastructure built to international standards.
Murray-Bruce also suggested that Duke’s comments were influenced by his presidential ambition, while acknowledging his right to express his views.
“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.
He warned against undermining projects of national importance for political advantage.
“When mankind went to the moon, it was neither cheap nor free. But it was necessary. So is this road,” Murray-Bruce added.
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