Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: CUPP Challenges Contract Award and Toll Fee Proposal

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has raised concerns about the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, criticizing the All Progressives Congress (APC) government for lack of transparency and due process in the contract award.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, had announced that the project would cost N4 billion per kilometer, and that it was awarded on a counterpart-funding basis rather than a Public-Private Partnership as initially claimed.

In a statement, the CUPP General Secretary, Ameh Peter Yakubu, emphasized the need for open and competitive bidding processes for government contracts and called the proposed cost per kilometer “outrageous and unacceptable.”

The coalition also criticized the government’s plan to charge an average of N3,000 per toll gate, arguing that this would place an additional burden on the suffering masses.

The statement further highlighted the importance of adhering to constitutional and statutory provisions in the award of contracts, including the involvement of institutions such as the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly, and Bureau of Public Procurement.

The CUPP accused President Tinubu of awarding the contract to his friends and business partners without due process, a move they believe is a breach of the Constitution.

The National Assembly, if functioning and responsible, is urged to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the allegations and possibly call the President to order.

The coalition emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, urging the government to prioritize the welfare of the people over personal interests.