Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway: Doherty writes NASS over Chagoury connection

Kunle Sanni

The Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2023, Funsho Doherty, has called for an investigation into Hi-Tech Construction Ltd.’s award of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project.

Doherty in a letter dated April 11th urged for a thorough investigation into the contract that was awarded.

The letter which was addressed to Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, stated that awarding the contract to Hi-Tech Construction Ltd was against the Public Procurement Act of 2007, as the company is linked to President Bola Tinubu’s associate, Gilbert Chagoury.

He also addressed that the lack of competitive bids during the contract award process was a clear violation of legal provisions, according to the former governorship candidate.

Westernpost had reported how former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, criticised the project awarded to Hitech Construction Company Limited (Hitech) has no record of a competitive bidding or a decision by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

He added that the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project was awarded to Hitech which he alleged is owned by Gilbert Chagoury.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, Atiku noted that the agreement with HITECH, which was disclosed by Works Minister Dave Umahi, would not incur any expenses for the federal government and would instead result in an unprecedentedly high level of debt for the government.

Doherty also called on the National Assembly to conduct a thorough investigation into a project involving the Federal Ministry of Works and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

He emphasized that the National Assembly should exercise its oversight role by conducting a comprehensive probe into the matter.

Doherty also demanded that the Coastal Road Project be temporarily suspended until a thorough review of the contract is conducted.

He emphasized that the project should be subjected to proper procedures, including competitive bidding as mandated by the law.

In the event of any breaches of the Public Procurement Act or codes of conduct uncovered during investigations, Doherty has called for the enforcement of appropriate legal consequences as a deterrent.