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Former Bayelsa East senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, has accused former Cross River State governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, of politicising the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project following his criticism of the road’s feasibility and cost.
Murray-Bruce, in a post on X on Friday, said Duke’s comments surprised him because the former governor had previously praised the vision behind the project when both men visited the coastline where the highway is being constructed.
Duke had questioned the feasibility of extending the highway beyond Epe in Lagos State, describing the project as a misplaced priority amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Speaking on Arise News, the former governor argued that government spending should reflect the country’s economic realities and that scarce public funds should be directed towards projects that offer the greatest value.
In his response, Murray-Bruce acknowledged the high cost of the coastal highway but argued that major infrastructure projects required substantial investment 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.”
The former senator said President Bola Tinubu had committed to funding the project and was fulfilling that commitment.
He also defended the quality of the construction, saying work was progressing and the highway was being built to international standards.
Murray-Bruce cited Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who had commended the highway, as another public figure who recognised the project’s value.
He suggested that Duke’s criticism was influenced by his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general election, 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.
Murray-Bruce warned against dismissing major infrastructure projects for political reasons, arguing that their long-term benefits should be considered alongside their costs.
“When mankind went to the moon, it was neither cheap nor free. But it was necessary. So is this road,” he added.
