Umahi Defends Hitech's Role in Coastal Highway Project

David Umahi, the Minister of Works, stated that his choice of Hitech Construction Company for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project was based on the company's expertise in managing coastal erosion and restoring Victoria Island. He asserted that President Bola Tinubu did not direct him to award the project to Hitech, taking full responsibility for the procurement decision.

Umahi made these remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he also dismissed allegations of money laundering related to the project. He explained that the procurement process followed legal provisions allowing for various methods, including restrictive selective tendering for urgent projects.

Umahi highlighted Hitech's previous successful work in Lagos as a key factor in their selection. He rejected any claims that Tinubu's friendship with Hitech's owner, Gilbert Chagoury, influenced the decision, asserting that the president's role was limited to approving the project through the Bureau of Public Procurement.