David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has pledged to disclose comprehensive details and costs associated with the ambitious Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project this coming Friday. This announcement came in response to scrutinies and demands for transparency, particularly from Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.
Amid rising concerns over the allocation and oversight of the project, particularly regarding the contract awarded to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech without a competitive bidding process, Umahi’s commitment to transparency aims to quell speculations and demonstrate the administration’s adherence to prudent financial management. The project, spotlighted by a N1.06 trillion release for its pilot phase, has been a focal point for discussions on governance and fiscal responsibility.
Atiku’s critique centered on the necessity for full disclosure of the project’s financial details, especially in light of Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges. In contrast, Umahi’s defense highlighted the strategic economic benefits anticipated from the highway, extending beyond connecting the South-South and South-West to enhancing linkages between the North and South, including integrations with the African Trans Sahara Road.
Umahi’s forthcoming presentation, scheduled during his inspection visit in Lagos from April 10 to 12, 2024, is expected to address these financial inquiries directly. He plans to elaborate on the economic significance of the highway and detail the administration’s efforts to balance quality with cost-efficiency amid rising material costs and industry inflation.
Furthermore, Umahi’s remarks underscored a commitment to ensuring the timely and effective completion of this and other infrastructure projects, signaling potential reallocations of work to maintain pace and quality standards. His inspection of various ongoing projects across the nation, including major roads and bridge constructions, reinforces the government’s focus on infrastructure as a cornerstone of economic development and national integration.
As the nation awaits the detailed breakdown of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, this development marks a crucial moment for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public sector, setting a precedent for future governmental projects.
