Atiku Accuses Tinubu – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced concerns about the proposed Lagos-Calabar highway project reintroduced by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement by his media aide, Paul Ibeh, Atiku pointed out that the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project should have initiated from Calabar if it were genuine, rather than appearing as another political ploy.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed dismay over the questionable nature of the road project, which he perceived as bearing the hallmarks of a dubious venture.
Atiku alleged that the Tinubu administration has once again showcased its inclination towards clandestine dealings.
The statement outlined, “This project resurfaced during the end of the Goodluck Jonathan administration in November 2014, where it was revealed that President Jonathan had entered into a contract with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the 10-state, 22-station project, at a cost of $11.97 billion.
“However, President Jonathan couldn’t commence the project before his tenure ended. Nonetheless, his successor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed intentions to initiate it, announcing in 2016 that the project had been renegotiated downward by $800 million to $11.1 billion, with a completion timeline of three years. But the project remained stalled.
“In August 2021, while President Buhari was on leave, it was disclosed by then Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had ‘approved the memo for the ratification of the president’s approval for the award’ of the $11.1 billion project, with a promised completion period of six years. However, no progress was made.
“In September 2023, shortly after being appointed by Tinubu, the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, announced that the project had been awarded to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech Construction Company Limited (Hitech), without any evidence of competitive bidding or FEC decision.”
Atiku further highlighted Umahi’s reluctance to disclose the project’s cost, stating, “He only stated that it would span nine states and include a railway running through the middle. Most notably, the minister asserted that the project would incur zero cost to Nigeria, despite the nation currently grappling with record-high levels of debt.”
The former vice president elaborated on the project’s financing structure, emphasizing, “Because the project didn’t require public funds, it circumvented approval from the National Assembly, which holds the power of appropriation.
“Moreover, the project solely underwent review by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), without any evidence of competitive bidding since Chagoury’s firm was to fund it entirely.
“However, much to the surprise of many Nigerians, Umahi returned to FEC with a memo in March 2024, seeking approval for a staggering N1.06 trillion to be paid to Chagoury’s firm for the first phase of the project, solely within Lagos.”
Atiku added, “This pilot phase, originating from the edge of Chagoury’s Eko Atlantic City on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, and concluding at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Ibeju-Lekki, spans a distance of 47.47km.
“To date, the Tinubu administration has refrained from disclosing the total project cost. Umahi, who recently appeared on Channels Television, evaded inquiries regarding the project’s total cost.”
The former PDP presidential candidate expressed skepticism about the lack of transparency surrounding the project and its potential to result in job losses and significant financial implications for the nation.
Atiku further raised concerns about the project’s management and the establishment of a Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, expressing apprehensions about its lack of transparency and potential for misuse.
“With the ongoing secrecy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar highway project, it remains to be seen how such a fund will be managed,” Atiku concluded
