Nigerians debated who snubbed whom at the Lagos Coastal Road unveiling ceremony, but infrastructure analyst Segun Olawoye was on-site with an odometer, measuring actual distances against official claims. His findings reveal troubling discrepancies: the government's claimed 10km Eleko inward stretch measures only 6.2km, toll costs could reach ₦12,000 per round trip, and landowners received just 1% of promised compensation. Sometimes distractions cost development—social media drama enables real accountability failures to slip away unnoticed.
Social media focus on ceremonial politics often diverts attention from measurable infrastructure failures that affect millions of daily commuters and taxpayers.
Key Takeaways:
- Distance discrepancy with official 10km claim versus actual 6.2km measurement on the Eleko inward stretch
- Toll burden projection of ₦12,000 round-trip costs through multiple toll gates along the corridor
- Land compensation scandal, with affected owners receiving only 1% of promised payments after route changes
- Remote versus on-site analysis, as officials observed unveiling via projector while Segun conducted field verification
- Public focus criticism challenging Nigerians to prioritise infrastructure accountability over political drama
Distractions hinder development because, while Nigerians debate ceremonial snubs and political theatrics, substandard infrastructure delivery often escapes scrutiny. Segun's call for focus reminds citizens that measuring roads matters more than measuring egos—and that real development requires attention to facts over entertainment.
