Ojudu vs FG: Akure-Ado Ekiti Road Contract Cancellation Sparks Controversy

• Former presidential aide Babafemi Ojudu has questioned the Federal Government's decision to downgrade the Akure-Ado Ekiti dual carriageway project from a dual carriageway to a refurbished single carriageway.
• The project was initially awarded as a dual carriageway in November 2019 for approximately N30bn, but it was later cancelled and re-awarded in March 2023 for around N95.98bn.
• Only one rehabilitated carriageway has been delivered, leaving many to wonder what happened to the rest of the project.
• The Federal Government's decision raises questions about transparency and accountability in infrastructure projects and may have implications for future contract awards and compliance with regulatory requirements.

This road is too important to the economic and social life of Ondo and Ekiti states to disappear into the familiar fog of abandoned contracts, altered specifications and official silence.

The Akure-Ado Ekiti dual carriageway project has been shrouded in controversy, with former presidential aide Babafemi Ojudu questioning the Federal Government's decision to downgrade the project from a dual carriageway to a refurbished single carriageway. The project was initially awarded as a dual carriageway in November 2019 to Dantata & Sawoe for approximately N30bn, but it was later cancelled. In March 2023, the Federal Executive Council re-awarded the project as a 50-kilometre dualisation project for around N95.98bn, with two separate contracts awarded for different sections of the road. However, only one rehabilitated carriageway has been delivered, leaving many to wonder what happened to the rest of the project.

The re-award of the Akure-Ado Ekiti dual carriageway project raises questions about transparency and accountability in infrastructure projects. The Federal Government's decision to downgrade the project from a dual carriageway to a refurbished single carriageway has sparked concerns among stakeholders, who are calling for clear answers on what was awarded, what has been paid for, and what has been delivered. Lawyers advising clients on infrastructure projects in Nigeria should be aware that this development may have implications for future contract awards and compliance with regulatory requirements. The project's cancellation and re-award also highlight the need for better project management and monitoring to prevent similar issues in the future.

The Akure-Ado Ekiti dual carriageway project is a critical infrastructure development that has significant economic and social implications for Ondo and Ekiti states. The project's failure to deliver on its original promise of a dual carriageway has left many wondering about the effectiveness of the Federal Government's decision-making process. As Ojudu pointed out, 'This road is too important to the economic and social life of Ondo and Ekiti states to disappear into the familiar fog of abandoned contracts, altered specifications and official silence.' The people of these states deserve clear answers on what happened to the project and how it will be completed.

Lawyers advising clients on infrastructure projects in Nigeria should be aware that the Federal Government's re-award of the Akure-Ado Ekiti dual carriageway project has raised questions about transparency and accountability, and may have implications for future contract awards and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH