The dispute between the Federal Government and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the expenses related to the Lagos-Calabar Highway Project has escalated, with Atiku challenging President Bola Tinubu to reveal the total cost of the project.
Atiku, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 presidential elections, criticized the lack of transparency in the Tinubu administration’s handling of public funds for the project, especially during Nigeria’s economic struggles.
Through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku raised concerns about the absence of competitive bidding in awarding the contract to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech and questioned the substantial initial funding released for the project’s pilot phase.
The former Vice President also questioned the speed at which the Tinubu administration acquired the project’s design and right of way, considering the lack of progress during previous administrations.
In response, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, defended the administration’s approach, emphasizing the balance between cost efficiency, quality, and speed in executing road projects despite rising material costs.
Umahi criticized Atiku’s statements as misleading and lacking factual accuracy, promising to provide detailed figures to demonstrate the administration’s financial prudence and efficiency in project management under President Tinubu’s leadership.
The President once inquired about the cost of ongoing projects across the country, prompting me to conduct a thorough analysis of the construction materials’ rates in order to determine our unit rates. I presented my findings to Mr. President, but he still believes that the cost of projects should be reduced.
However, the contractors have expressed their grievances, claiming that I am oppressing them by lowering the costs of their projects.
They argue that they are no longer receiving the same compensation as before. Despite their complaints, I am confident that when the figures are examined, Nigerians will see the positive impact of the current administration’s efforts.
I will address these figures in a press conference during my visit to Lagos from April 10th to April 12th, 2024. In addition, Governor Umahi emphasized the economic significance of the coastal highway, highlighting how it connects various regions of the country, including the North and South.
He mentioned the project’s expansion from Badagry to Sokoto, as well as its connection to the African Trans Sahara Road. On the other hand, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway project against false allegations made by Atiku Abubakar, stating that his claims lacked factual basis and only served to criticize the government without proper understanding of the issue at hand.
Contrary to the assertions made in the endorsed press statement of Atiku, it is important to clarify that neither the administrations of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari nor Goodluck Jonathan awarded contracts for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway to any company, nor did they revise or vary the costs. Therefore, the notion of comparing costs does not arise in this context.
It is crucial to note that the contract that was actually awarded pertained to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail project, which was designed as part of the standard gauge national rail network. This contract was approved on August 4, 2021, by the Federal Executive Council under the leadership of former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at a cost of $11.17 billion. The stipulated timeframe for completion was six years, but unfortunately, the project did not commence.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail project has always been a part of the plan, and its failure to materialize during the 16-year tenure of the previous PDP-led government is indicative of their shortcomings. It is regrettable that the former Vice President seems to be confused about the distinction between the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail projects.
Instead of vilifying President Tinubu, he should be commended for his boldness in undertaking this transformative project, as opposed to the unsuccessful attempts made by Atiku Abubakar to discredit him.
