Chief Sola Ebiseni, the Labour Party candidate for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, has urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to clarify the alignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as it pertains to Ondo State.
Ebiseni criticized Aiyedatiwa for remaining silent on the significant highway project, noting that existing maps indicate that the road may not adequately cover the Ondo coastal area. He expressed concern that this misalignment could lead to missed opportunities for the state.
At a press conference in Akure, the state capital, Ebiseni emphasized, “The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, under the Tinubu administration, is the most visionary project for the people of the Niger Delta. The Ondo State segment, which spans approximately 100 kilometers and has the longest shoreline, stands to gain immensely from this initiative, especially regarding coastal investments and erosion management.”
He further lamented the indifference of state leaders, particularly towards the concerns of the people from Ilaje Local Government, stating, “Efforts to ensure justice have proved abortive. I suggested to the governor in May that he should convene a meeting to engage our communities and represent our interests to the federal government regarding the alignment, but palpable tension remains.”
Ebiseni accused the governor of focusing on trivial projects while neglecting initiatives that could greatly enhance the state’s infrastructure and economy. “While our governor celebrates a kilometer of concrete walkway, a project that could establish a deep-sea port and address coastal erosion is being overlooked.”
Discussing the Labour Party’s chances in the election, Ebiseni asserted that the party is well-recognized in Ondo State, noting its historical electoral successes from 2009 to 2017. He highlighted the party’s previous achievements in education, health, and rural development, promising a return to those standards.
“Our campaign focuses on the tangible benefits we provided during our administration, such as free education up to secondary school, which the current government has failed to sustain. Parents are burdened with costs that were once covered by us,” Ebiseni remarked.
He also pointed out the negative impacts of the current administration, including the withholding of WAEC results due to unpaid fees, and stressed the need for the electorate to remember the Labour Party’s previous initiatives, including free healthcare and accessible education.
Ebiseni concluded by reinforcing the Labour Party’s commitment to revitalizing the state’s infrastructure and ensuring the welfare of its citizens, contrasting their track record with that of other parties, which he claimed have not delivered on their promises.