The Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) has called for an independent audit of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, demanding that the Federal Government disclose its total cost, procurement records and expenditure so far.
The party’s demand followed the recent realignment of part of the route, which it said raised questions about the adequacy of the project’s engineering assessments, planning and cost implications.
Speaking in Abuja, Director-General of the Makinde/Daura Campaign Organisation, Felix Hassan Hyat, questioned the circumstances surrounding the contract award in 2024 and urged the government to make key project documents available to the public.
Hyat challenged the explanation by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, that climate change and environmental challenges necessitated the route adjustment.
“The vague reasons of climate change and environmental challenges adduced by Minister Umahi at this point beg the question,” he said.
The campaign organisation alleged that the contract was awarded without an open and competitive bidding process, an approved engineering design and the necessary budgetary provisions and legislative appropriations.
It called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to publish the project’s engineering assessments, alternative route analysis, procurement documents, payment records and revised cost implications.
The group also demanded an independent engineering assessment of the realigned section and a comprehensive account of the amount spent and work completed.
“We demand that the President Tinubu-led government should publish the relevant engineering assessment, alternative-route analysis, accompanying cost implications and comprehensive audit of the work and amount so far spent,” the organisation said.
The APM campaign organisation argued that the government should demonstrate that public funds were being spent transparently, particularly as Nigerians continue to face high costs of food, transport, healthcare and education.
While acknowledging the need for infrastructure development, it questioned the prioritisation of the coastal highway amid concerns about the condition of other federal roads.
“Nigeria is in dire need of infrastructures, no doubt, but not opaque contracts and expensive excuses,” Hyat said.
The organisation also raised questions about alleged links between companies associated with the project and individuals it claimed had connections to the Presidency. It further alleged that the project could be used to finance the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) election expenses, but did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
The campaign organisation urged Nigerians to reject Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and support the APM presidential ticket of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Daura, presenting their platform as an alternative to the incumbent administration.
Hyat said the country’s interests should take precedence over the President’s political ambition.
The allegations and demands were made by the APM campaign organisation. The material provided did not include a response from the Federal Government or the contractor to the claims.
Discussion0