In a recent session, the House of Representatives disclosed that the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project lacked approval from the National Assembly. The House has consequently resolved to probe the procurement process associated with this controversial project.
Additionally, the House has called upon the Minister of Works, Minister of Finance, and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to ensure that all project guarantees and credit enhancement instruments are presented to the National Assembly for proper approval. Furthermore, the House has tasked its committees on Procurement and Works to thoroughly investigate the procurement process of the project’s contract.
The motion, titled “Urgent need to investigate the procurement process and award of contract for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,” was introduced by Austin Achado(APC-Benue) during the plenary session in Abuja.
Achado highlighted that the contract award for the project did not adhere to due process and lacked the necessary approval from the National Assembly, necessitating a comprehensive investigation into the procurement process.
He pointed out concerns regarding contingent liabilities arising from the project, emphasizing that the guarantees issued for debt financing were not approved by the National Assembly. Furthermore, Achado raised questions about the procurement strategy employed by the Federal Ministry of Works, expressing apprehension that it may have violated relevant laws and regulations.
The project, estimated at a rate of N4.329 billion per kilometer, aims to deliver a 700km Lagos to Calabar Coastal Road and Rail Project using reinforced concrete technology. However, Achado emphasized the need for transparency regarding the project’s financing structure and private sector counterpart involvement.
The procurement strategy adopted by the Federal Ministry of Works has raised concerns regarding compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission Act 2905. These regulations require open competitive public bidding and adherence to specific tendering approaches, which Achado believes may not have been followed.
As the investigation unfolds, NewsAnalytrics will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of developments surrounding the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, ensuring transparency and accountability in the procurement process. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.
