The House of Representatives has decided to investigate the ongoing N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, announcing the formation of an ad-hoc committee to conduct the probe and submit a report within four weeks.
This decision came after a motion of urgent public importance was moved during plenary by Mr. Austin Achado, the representative for Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Benue State.
The House also agreed to summon the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to provide further clarification on the project.
The Ministry of Works defended the project, asserting that it followed due process and that House members had previously expressed support for it.
The coastal highway project, spanning 700 kilometers, aims to connect Lagos to Cross River, traversing several states before reaching Calabar.
It has drawn both praise and criticism since its approval, with successive administrations contributing to its development.
Under previous administrations, the project underwent various modifications, including expansion from a four-lane double carriageway to a 10-lane highway.
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Minister Umahi revealed that the project is expected to take eight years to complete, with a cost of N4 billion per kilometer.
Funding for the project has been partly provided by the Federal Executive Council, with N1.06 trillion already released for the pilot phase.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the awarding of the contract to Hitech Construction Company Nigeria Limited without competitive bidding.
The procurement process has been questioned for potentially violating several laws, including the Public Procurement Act and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission Act.
Achado, during the motion, highlighted possible violations of procurement laws and expressed concerns about contingent liabilities for Nigeria.
The House subsequently resolved to investigate the procurement process and ensure that all guarantees and credit enhancement instruments are sent to the National Assembly for approval.
The House’s decision was met with a response from the Ministry of Works, which cited the National Assembly’s prior support for the project during a site visit.
The Ministry of Finance declined to comment on the lawmakers’ demand for guarantees and credit enhancement.
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