Lagos-Calabar Highway Controversy: IMPI Defends Project, Debunks Atiku’s Claims

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has defended the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, dismissing claims made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that sparked controversy.

In a statement issued by IMPI Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, the group highlighted the Federal Government’s decision to select HiTECH for the project’s construction, citing the company’s successful track record with projects such as the Bar Beach Shoreline protection and constructing coastal highways with reinforced concrete outside of Nigeria.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, designed to be a 10-lane highway with a total pavement width of 59.2 meters and a 100-meter corridor, aims to improve transportation infrastructure in the region.

IMPI emphasized that the project’s cost has been reduced to N4.329 billion per kilometer from the initial N8.52 billion per kilometer for a four-lane highway proposed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The policy group pointed out that the cost of building a kilometer of road varies significantly based on a number of factors, including location, terrain, construction type, number of lanes, lane width, surface durability, and the number of bridges.

IMPI’s study of the situation revealed that all of Atiku’s claims were unfounded and aimed at discrediting the project.

IMPI also criticized the former Vice President’s allegations, stating that there is no standard pricing template for road construction costs worldwide.

The group emphasized the importance of considering various factors when evaluating the cost of highway projects and highlighted examples from other countries to establish the context of fraud or otherwise that Abubakar was trying to bring up.

In light of this, the IMPI has called for the Lagos-Calabar highway project to be viewed objectively and commended the Federal Government for its efforts to improve Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure at a reduced cost.

The group’s statement serves as a reminder of the importance of fact-checking and understanding the complexities of infrastructure projects before making public claims.