APM Demands Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Contract Disclosure

• The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has demanded full disclosure of the ₦15tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract details.
• APM's concerns include procurement transparency, contractor selection, project cost, and payment records.
• Minister of Works, David Umahi, defended a recent realignment of the highway's route in Ondo State, citing engineering challenges and cost efficiency.
• The APM alleges poor planning, procurement irregularities, and potential conflicts of interest involving the contractor and the Presidency.
• The council is calling for the publication of engineering assessments, alternative route analyses, cost implications, and a comprehensive audit of the project.

The APM asserts that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, as currently conceived and presented, has fallen short in several key aspects, notably in demonstrating Nigeria Coastal Highway procurement transparency.

The Presidential Campaign Council of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has formally requested comprehensive disclosure regarding the procurement process, contractor selection, total contract cost, and all payment records for the ambitious ₦15tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. This demand, articulated by the council's Director-General, Felix Hyat, during a press conference held on Tuesday, stems from significant concerns about the project's transparency, overall accountability, and a recently announced realignment of its route.

This call for full disclosure follows closely on the heels of an announcement made by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Monday. Minister Umahi had publicly defended the Federal Government's decision to reroute a section of the highway in Ondo State. He explained that the original path traversed challenging terrain featuring pits exceeding 100 meters in depth, which would have substantially inflated the construction expenses. According to Umahi, the diversion was a pragmatic choice driven by sound engineering considerations and a commitment to ensuring optimal value for public funds. He also acknowledged the receipt of petitions alleging an improper diversion of the highway's route within Ondo State, though he maintained the justification for the decision.

In response to the Minister's statements, Felix Hyat of the APM criticized the Federal Government, citing what he described as inadequate planning and alleged irregularities in the procurement process surrounding the massive infrastructure undertaking. Hyat specifically urged the government to release critical documentation, including relevant engineering assessments, detailed analyses of alternative routes considered, comprehensive cost implications, and a thorough audit of all work completed and funds expended to date.

Beyond the issues of planning and procurement, the APM Presidential Campaign Council also raised serious conflict-of-interest concerns regarding the award of the ₦15tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract. The council alleged potential links between the corporate group of the chosen contractor and individuals closely associated with the Presidency. Furthermore, the APM questioned the Federal Government's silence on any expected cost reductions following the rerouting of the Ondo section to an existing road, reiterating their demand for complete transparency in contract and payment records.

The APM's demands underscore a broader call for Federal Government contract accountability in Nigeria, particularly for large-scale infrastructure initiatives like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The council highlighted that the controversy surrounding the project's procurement and realignment unfolds against a backdrop of rising living costs in the nation, intensifying the public's need for assurance that such significant public spending genuinely serves the common good.

Felix Hyat emphasized that the enduring measure of governmental effectiveness lies not merely in the grandeur of its projects but in its ability to convey the common good. The APM asserts that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, as currently conceived and presented, has fallen short in several key aspects, notably in demonstrating Nigeria Coastal Highway procurement transparency. The call for full disclosure of contract details and payment records is a direct challenge to ensure that this multi-trillion-naira project is executed with the utmost integrity and in the best interest of Nigerian citizens.

Lawyers advising on Nigerian public procurement or large-scale infrastructure projects should note the heightened scrutiny on contract transparency, procurement processes, and potential conflicts of interest. This case highlights the risk of public and political demands for full disclosure, which could lead to legal challenges or Freedom of Information Act requests, necessitating robust compliance and due diligence from the outset of such projects.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH