The House of Representatives resolved to scrutinize the procurement procedure for the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar coastal road project. This decision comes in response to concerns about potential procurement law violations and a lack of requisite National Assembly clearances.
Honourable Austin Achado introduced the motion to review the procurement procedure during Thursday’s session, citing it as a matter of urgent national concern.
The House launched the investigation citing violations of the 2007 Procurement Act and a lack of necessary National Assembly clearances.
In response to the resolution, the House has requested that key government officials, including the Minister of Works, Minister of Finance, Attorney General, and Minister of Justice, deliver copies of the contract award paperwork to the National Assembly.
The decision to launch the investigation follows continuous disputes surrounding the project, particularly the removal of buildings and infrastructure along the proposed route.
Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, recently revealed that the Lagos-Calabar coastal route is expected to cost N4 billion per km.
The ambitious 700-kilometer project intends to connect Lagos to Cross River State, passing through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states before arriving in Cross River.
Despite government claims regarding the project’s relevance, it has received criticism from a variety of sources, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who called it a “fraud.” However, such claims were rejected by the Presidency.
The resolution passed by the House of Representatives emphasizes the commitment to transparency and accountability in government initiatives, ensuring that taxpayer monies are spent wisely and in accordance with legal requirements.