Controversy Surrounds Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Contract

Charles Aniagolu, the anchor of ARISE NEWS’ Prime Time, conducted an interview with Barrister Kingdom Nnamdi Okere concerning the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Okere asserted that the contract award was procedurally defective, citing the absence of bidding and advertisement, which he claimed violated the Procurement Act.

Despite Senator Dave Umahi's assertions that due process was followed and his praise for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a visionary leader, Okere remained skeptical. He challenged Umahi to disclose the details of the multi-trillion contract and questioned whether the Chagoury Group or Hi-Tech were the only capable contractors for the 700-kilometer project.

Aniagolu reminded Okere that invoking the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act should not equate to personal attacks on the Minister of Works. The discussion highlighted the ongoing debate over the highway's construction and the transparency of the contract award process.