APM Calls for Transparency on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Contract

The Presidential Campaign Council of the Allied Peoples Movement is asking for full details about the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. They want to see the procurement process, contractor selection, contract cost, and payment records for the ₦15 trillion project. They are worried about transparency and accountability after the recent change in the road's route.

Felix Hyat, the Director-General of the council, made this demand during a press conference on Tuesday. This followed an announcement by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, about the realignment of the highway’s route.

On Monday, Umahi defended the Federal Government’s decision to change the route in Ondo State. He explained that the original path had deep pits over 100 metres, which would have made construction very expensive. He said the change was based on engineering needs and to protect public funds.

Umahi also mentioned that he received petitions claiming he wrongfully changed the highway’s course in Ondo State. But he stood by his decision, saying it was justified.

In response, Hyat criticized the Federal Government for what he called poor planning and alleged procurement issues related to the project. He urged the government to release engineering assessments, alternative-route studies, cost details, and a complete audit of the work and funds used so far.

Hyat said, "The announcement by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, about the realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway route has once again brought to light allegations of technical and planning incompetence, policy inconsistencies, and serious questions about transparency and accountability that have surrounded this multi-trillion-naira project since it began.

"It is shocking that Minister Umahi, in a rush to calm public anger, denied his earlier statement about a presidential order to realign the highway, despite clear video evidence. Such denial is not fitting for a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"In any case, we know that the true measure of government is not in its grand projects or bold announcements, but in serving the public good. We must say that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, as presented by this government, has fallen short in many ways.

"We support the construction of roads anywhere in the country, but the sudden realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway shows a lack of technical skills, poor planning, and a serious underestimation of the project's engineering difficulties."

The APM Presidential Campaign Council also raised concerns about conflicts of interest regarding the ₦15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract. They claimed there are connections between the contractor’s company and people close to the Presidency.

The council questioned why the Federal Government had not addressed the expected cost savings from rerouting the Ondo section to an existing road. They demanded full disclosure of all contract and payment records.

They pointed out that this controversy arises during a time of rising living costs and called on the government to ensure accountability and prove that the project is in the public's interest.

Hyat added, "The unclear reasons of climate change and environmental issues given by Minister Umahi only raise more questions. This confirms that the Tinubu administration started this major project without the needed environmental impact assessment, breaking our laws.

"The way the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was awarded shows how randomly the Tinubu Presidency governs Nigeria, leading to major problems in almost all key sectors of the economy during his time in office.