Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has come under scrutiny for his revelation of the plan to construct a 700-kilometer coastal highway, with a staggering price tag of $13 billion. This hefty cost translates to approximately N4 billion per kilometre according to Umahi.
The project has drawn comparisons to Egypt’s recent accomplishment in infrastructure development, particularly the Cairo-Cape Town Highway (CCTH), spanning an impressive 10,228 kilometres across 11 African countries. Egypt’s Ministry of Transport completed a 1,155-kilometer segment of the highway at a fraction of Umahi’s proposed cost, amounting to only $1.6 billion.
The vast disparity in cost between the two projects has sparked scepticism and questions about the judicious use of taxpayer funds. Critics argue that Umahi’s proposal lacks fiscal prudence, especially when contrasted with Egypt’s cost-effective achievement.
Adding to the controversy is the involvement of Hitech Road Construction Company, a subsidiary of Hitech Construction Company owned by Nigerian-Lebanese billionaire Gilbert Chagoury. Chagoury’s business dealings have been controversial, particularly due to his association with the late Nigerian military head of state, Sani Abacha.
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Chagoury’s ties to Abacha have raised concerns about corruption and impropriety, tarnishing his reputation and casting doubt on his ventures. Allegations of favouritism and lack of transparency surround the awarding of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal project to Hitech Construction Company without competitive bidding.
Furthermore, Chagoury’s reported return of approximately $300 million to the Nigerian government following Abacha’s death in 1998 has raised further suspicions about the nature of his business dealings.
Umahi’s proposed coastal highway project, with its exorbitant cost and association with Chagoury’s company, has raised calls for transparency and accountability. Critics are demanding a thorough investigation into the procurement and bidding process and proper project cost estimation to ensure that taxpayer funds are utilized efficiently and effectively.
