Cubana Millennium City, Asaba: Whose interest does this development serve?

2026-02-08 - 06:18

By Chukwuma Onyemem Across Nigeria, private-sector participation in urban development has become an important driver of city expansion, housing supply, and economic growth. Large-scale real estate projects, when properly integrated into public development plans, can generate employment, improve land values, and stimulate supporting industries. In this context, the emergence of Cubana Millennium City in Asaba, Delta State—developed by Chief Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana) through the Cubana Group—has attracted widespread attention as one of the most ambitious private real estate projects in the South-South and South-East regions of the country. Chukwuma Onyemem On the surface, the project represents enterprise, ambition, and private capital taking bold steps in urban development. However, beyond the glossy marketing and public fanfare, legitimate public-interest questions arise regarding the nature of government involvement, the prioritization of infrastructure, and whether the broader population of Delta State— particularly residents of Asaba and surrounding communities—are benefiting equitably from public investment. It is important to state clearly that, based on publicly available information, Cubana Millennium City is presented as a private-sector-led development. To date, there has been no official publication or government statement confirming that the Delta State Government holds equity, partnership interest, or ownership stake in the project. In the absence of such disclosure, the project must reasonably be regarded as a private commercial venture. Yet, the scale and speed of infrastructure development around the project corridor have generated intense public debate. Roads, drainage systems, and supporting infrastructure leading to and surrounding the estate appear to be receiving unusually rapid attention when compared to many other parts of Asaba and its neighbouring towns. This contrast has created a perception—whether accurate or not—that public infrastructure priorities may be disproportionately aligned with the needs of a single private estate. Perception matters in governance. In a state capital and its adjoining communities where residents routinely contend with deteriorated roads, flooding, traffic congestion, and incomplete urban infrastructure, the visible concentration of quality infrastructure around an elite-targeted estate inevitably raises questions. These questions are not accusations of wrongdoing; rather, they are expressions of civic concern that deserve transparent and factual responses from the appropriate authorities. Cubana Millennium City, by design and market positioning, appears tailored primarily to high-net-worth individuals and upper-income buyers. There is nothing inherently wrong with luxury real estate. However, when public infrastructure—funded by taxpayers—is seen to cluster around such developments while densely populated residential areas remain underserved, the fundamental issue becomes one of equity, fairness, and development priorities. Urban development policy should not create islands of prosperity surrounded by oceans of neglect. Many residents of Asaba, Okpanam, Ibusa, Ugbolu, Illah, Ebu, Issele-Uku, Ogwashi-Uku, and other communities within the capital territory continue to experience severe infrastructure deficits. Road networks in several of these areas are either in poor condition or entirely absent. Drainage systems are inadequate, leading to perennial flooding. Public transport routes are overstretched. These are not new problems; they are longstanding challenges repeatedly highlighted in government budgets, political campaigns, and policy pronouncements. Against this backdrop, the speed of infrastructure rollout around Cubana Millennium City naturally provokes a central question: Why does infrastructure appear to move faster when private elite developments are involved than when ordinary communities are concerned? Another dimension of public concern relates to political accountability. The Aniocha– Oshimili Federal Constituency, which houses the Delta State capital, is represented by one Member of the House of Representatives, four members of the State House of Assembly, and four Local Government Chairmen. Collectively, these officials are entrusted with articulating the developmental needs of their people and advocating forcefully for fair distribution of state resources. One long-discussed proposal that underscores this gap is the dual-carriage ring road corridor connecting: Asaba – Ugbolu – Illah – Ebu – Ukala – Ezi – Onicha-Olona – Issele-Mkpitime – Issele-Uku – Ubulu – Obior – Ogwashi-Uku – Ibusa – back to Asaba. This corridor would serve as a strategic transportation backbone linking four local government areas, reducing congestion within Asaba, opening up new economic corridors, stimulating real estate and industrial growth, and integrating peri-urban communities into the capital’s economic life. Such a project represents the type of infrastructure that delivers mass benefit, not selective advantage. Yet, despite its obvious developmental value, there has been little visible progress on this corridor over the years. This reality invites an uncomfortable but necessary reflection: are our elected representatives prioritizing transformative, people-focused infrastructure, or are they largely silent while public attention gravitates toward elite-centered projects, that is allegedly for their benefits and that of their proxies? It must be emphasized that democratic governance is built on transparency, accountability, and equitable service delivery. Citizens have a constitutional right to ask how public funds are allocated, what informs infrastructure prioritization, and whether government actions align with declared development plans. Therefore, Delta State Government owes the public clear answers to the following: Does the state government have any financial, equity, or partnership interest—direct or indirect—in Cubana Millennium City? What public funds, if any, are being deployed on infrastructure serving the project? How does this align with the state’s broader infrastructure master plan for Asaba and the capital territory? What concrete timelines exist for major people-centered projects such as the proposed ring road corridor? Providing transparent responses to these questions will not weaken government; rather, it will strengthen public trust. Ultimately, this discourse is not an attack on private investment, nor is it a condemnation of Cubana Millennium City as a project. Private developers have the right to invest, build, and profit within the law. However, government has a higher duty: to ensure that public resources serve the collective interest and that development outcomes are balanced, inclusive, and socially just. The people of Delta State—and particularly residents of the capital territory—are watching. They are asking, peacefully and constitutionally, that development be people-focused, infrastructure be fairly distributed, and governance be transparent. History will not judge leaders by how well they served the powerful, but by how faithfully they served the people. This article represents my personal opinions and my civic observations expressed in public interest. All references to perceptions or concerns are based on publicly observable developments. No allegation of illegality is made against any individual or institution. Deltans welcomes factual clarifications from relevant authorities. Chukwuma Onyemem is a Public Affairs Strategist an works at the Intersection of policy, Infrastructure and governance to advance equitable and people-centered national development) Lagos