· Ohaneze sues for Umahi, Obi dialogue
Indications emerged Sunday that the controversy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is far from over as former vice president and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has attacked President Bola Tinubu, again.
Atiku on Sunday stated that the road was purely for the business interest of the president as his son and some others sit on the board of Hitech, the company handling the multi-billion project.
The former president through his media adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, said that the lack of proper notification regarding the demolition of tourist and recreational amenities, as well as other properties within the Oniru corridor, including sections of Landmark in Lagos State, to facilitate the construction of the Coastal Highway, is a key factor contributing to Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to attract foreign direct investments.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has consistently defended the demolitions, stressing the necessity of clearing the landmark centre and others situated within the Federal Government’s Right-of-Way.
Compensation payments to affected property owners began last Wednesday, initiated by the Federal Government.
President Tinubu is known to be friends with Gilbert Chagoury, the owner of Hitech, the contractor responsible for the highway project.
He stated, “The fact that President Bola Tinubu’s son and his surrogates are on the board of companies owned by Gilbert Chagoury constitutes a conflict of interest.
The former Vice President noted that “Tinubu’s son, Seyi, is a director on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group, which manufactures ceramic tiles and sanitary towels.
Atiku, describing it as unsurprising that the Chagoury Group had emerged as the primary recipient of Tinubu’s generosity, stated, “Thanks to quality reporting by Africa Intelligence, our suspicions have been confirmed that Chagoury and Tinubu are indeed business partners and it has been formalized with Seyi on the board of one of Chagoury’s firms.”
He contended that instead of enhancing the ease of doing business, the Tinubu government had allegedly demonstrated to the global community that his business endeavours and those of his family would consistently take precedence over national interests.
The statement read in part, “The former Vice President restated that it has become obvious even to the undiscerning that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is being done in a hurry purely because of the business relationship between Tinubu and Gilbert Chagoury, the owner of Hitech, the contractor that was awarded the contract for the highway project in contravention of the procurement laws. It is on record that this project is the most expensive single project ever embarked upon by the Nigerian government. The fact that it is happening at a time when Nigeria is facing its worst economic crisis ever is a red flag.
“To add insult to injury, this project that is being done more than $13bn was awarded without competitive bidding. From all indications, the so-called Badagry-Sokoto highway would be awarded similarly at an enormous cost to taxpayers purely because Tinubu has put his interest ahead of the Nigerian people.”
“Atiku said the demolition of tourist and recreational facilities and other properties within the Oniru corridor, including parts of Landmark, without ample notice, is one of the reasons foreign direct investments continue to elude the country.
In a related development, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some others to seek “diplomatic and private engagement” with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
As contained in a statement on Sunday by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze said the criticisms do not serve the interests of the nation.
The statement reads, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the revered apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, rises with unwavering clarity amidst the tumult of baseless scrutiny and undue criticism directed at the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project and the commendable work of Senator Dave Umahi, Minister of Works.
“The relentless assault on these vital infrastructure initiatives raises eyebrows, and Nigerians, particularly the Igbo populace, question the motives behind these attacks, which do not serve the interests of the nation.”
While denouncing the “unwarranted vilification” targeted at Umahi, the organisation underscored the “necessity for diplomatic and private engagement over public confrontations that may impede the progress of south-eastern infrastructure development.
“Ohanaeze reiterates the call for respectful dialogue and collaboration, urging Peter Obi to eschew public acrimony and seek constructive discourse with Senator Umahi to gain authentic insights into national development projects.”
