When former Governor Ben Ayade unveiled the ambitious Superhighway project in Cross River State, it was sold as a transformative infrastructure masterpiece a 275-kilometer road that would revolutionize transportation, attract investment, create jobs, and propel the state into economic prosperity.
The promises were grand, the presentations impressive, and the public hopeful. But today, bold to say that the so called Superhighway stands as the biggest scam in South-South Nigeria’s recent political history a colossal fraud, a failure that has left the people betrayed, the environment devastated, with billions of naira wasted with nothing to show for it.
From the onset, the project was raised in hype, praise singing, rather than grounded in reality. elaborate ceremonies, drone footage, flashy media campaigns that created an illusion of progress, but on the ground, little or nothing was delivered.
Instead of a seamless, functional highway, Cross River was left with fragmented stretches of unfinished roads, overgrown paths, and abandoned construction sites. The grand vision turned into a nightmare of neglect, corruption, and environmental destruction.
Forests were bulldozed, farmland was cleared without adequate compensation or consultation, and entire communities were displaced all in the name of a project that never truly existed beyond paper and cheap propaganda.
Financially, the scam is staggering. Reports suggest that allegedly hundreds of billions of naira estimated to be as high as were allegedly siphoned under the guise of building this infrastructure marvel.
Yet, the state’s residents cannot point to a single kilometer of road that fulfills the promises made. This gap between funds disbursed and tangible outcomes screams of embezzlement and abuse of public trust. The Superhighway was not just a failed project it was a sophisticated, planned, detailed operation to loot public funds, dressed in the trappings of development.
More than just financial loss, the project has left lasting scars on the people of Cross River. Families uprooted, livelihoods destroyed, and youth left unemployed as anticipated economic benefits never materialized. The environmental damage from reckless clearing threatens biodiversity and undermines the state’s natural heritage, compromising the wellbeing of future generations. The human cost of this scam is immeasurable.
Ayade’s Superhighway was less about development and more about political grandstanding. It served as a tool to build Ayade’s political image and ambitions rather than to serve the genuine needs of Cross Riverians.
The project was a facade and illusion designed to manipulate public perception while enabling massive financial fraud behind the scenes. Such misuse of power and betrayal of public trust must not be allowed to stand unchallenged.
Now, the responsibility lies heavily on the current government under Governor Bassey Otu to confront this legacy head-on.
Governor Otu, the people of Cross River deserve more, they are asking questions, the new administration must immediately initiate a thorough forensic audit of the Superhighway project to uncover the truth and hold accountable those involved in the fraud.
Beyond investigations, there must be decisive action to remediate the environmental damage and genuine engagement with affected communities to restore their livelihoods and dignity.
Furthermore, Governor Otu’s government must pivot from grandiose, unrealistic promises and focus on transparent, achievable development plans that directly improve the lives of Cross Riverians. Infrastructure projects must be grounded in accountability and community needs, not political self-interest. Only by restoring trust and ensuring responsible governance can Cross River begin to heal from the wounds inflicted by the Superhighway scam.
The Ayade Superhighway scam is a reminder that infrastructure without accountability is nothing but a costly deception. Cross Riverians have been robbed of their future, and it is incumbent upon their leaders to deliver justice, transparency, and real progress going forward.
Governor Otu, will you listen to the voices of the people?.
Asuquo Cletus writes
