Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation, has suggested that Bola Tinubu should reconsider and halt the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal road project, opting instead for further public discussions.
Chidoka proposed a focus on improving Nigeria’s inland waterways and the construction of small seaports along coastal regions as more effective means of transporting goods between coastal cities via ships.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the former minister was questioned about his approach to the project if he were president, given the controversies surrounding it. Chidoka stated unequivocally that he would suspend the project for additional deliberation and review.
“Stop it now and subject it to public conversation because the financiers cannot raise finance for this project except if he uses budgetary fund to fund it. Nobody can raise finance if they know they had no competitive bidding,” Chidoka said.
The former minister highlighted that the contract award for the coastal road did not adhere to due process, emphasizing that the entire process was conducted in secrecy, lacking transparency.
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“If what the minister (Dave Umahi) said is correct, then there is an absolute breach because the first thing that would have happened is that ICRC would have received this, the second thing is that even with the designs done by them and the desire to be able to get funding, neither the IFC, World Bank, European Bank, African Development Bank would fund a project that doesn’t go through competitive bidding.
“Ask any of the financial institutions, where would they get the money from? It was never advertised,” he said.
Chidoka suggested that Tinubu has other potential legacy projects to consider. He proposed redesigning the national highway system and implementing a new National Highway Act to dualize existing highways and link them with airports and seaports.
The Lagos-Calabar coastal road project has faced significant criticism from Nigerians, with many questioning the necessity of such a large-scale project amidst the nation’s ongoing borrowing for existing initiatives.
Key opponents of the project include opposition figures Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The Federal Government recently commenced construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal road, contracted to Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
Earlier on Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to investigate the procurement process for the ₦15 trillion coastal road project.
The House cited violations of the 2007 Procurement Act and highlighted instances where necessary approvals from the National Assembly were not obtained as required by law.
