Coastal Road Project Faces Scrutiny: Doherty Urges Suspension and Investigation

Over the awarding of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project to Hi-Tech Construction Ltd, Funsho Doherty, an opposition politician in Lagos State, has called for a suspension and thorough investigation of the process.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, dated 11 April, Mr. Doherty raised concerns that the award of the contract to Hi-Tech Construction, a company owned by President Bola Tinubu’s friend Gilbert Chagoury, violated the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

He pointed out that the process lacked competitive bidding, which is a legal requirement for such projects.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had previously voiced similar concerns regarding the road project.

Mr. Doherty, a candidate in the Lagos State Governorship Election in 2023, urged both chambers of the National Assembly to launch a probe into the project, the Federal Ministry of Works (FMW), and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

In his letter, Mr. Doherty emphasized the importance of due process and called for the immediate suspension of the project pending a review of the contract.

He also stressed that if violations of the Public Procurement Act or code of conduct are found during the investigation, those responsible should be prosecuted and held accountable according to the law.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, a significant infrastructure project, has faced criticism and controversy due to the lack of transparency in the awarding of the contract to Hi-Tech Construction Ltd.

This latest development highlights the growing concern over the adherence to procurement laws and the need for a transparent and fair process in awarding government contracts.

As the controversy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project unfolds, it remains to be seen how the National Assembly will respond to Mr. Doherty’s request and whether the project will be suspended pending a thorough investigation.