Tinubu never asked me to give Lagos-Calabar highway contract to Hitech – Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, unequivocally stated on Sunday that President Bola Tinubu never instructed him to award the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to Hitech Construction Company. The minister took full responsibility for the contentious procurement, dismissing allegations that the project served as a conduit for money laundering by the administration.

Umahi explained that the decision to award the contract to Hitech was based on the company’s extensive experience in addressing coastal erosion and restoring Victoria Island. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Umahi firmly denied that the president had ever asked for the award to Hitech, emphasizing his own integrity and accountability for his decisions.

The controversy surrounding the procurement and funding of the coastal highway has centered on the use of a special procurement process, which Umahi argued was permissible under the law. He detailed that the law permits various forms of procurement, including restrictive selective tendering for urgent projects. Umahi defended the selection of Hitech, highlighting the company’s previous work in Lagos and its role in mitigating coastal erosion issues.

He emphasized that the decision was based on Hitech’s methodology, which he claimed had successfully addressed the ocean menace and restored Victoria Island. When queried about the involvement of Tinubu’s friend, Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury, the minister dismissed the suggestion, stating that it was irrelevant to the procurement process and that he took full responsibility for his decisions.

Umahi also clarified that the coastal highway project did not require approval from the National Assembly, as the borrowing plan for the project was the only part that needed legislative approval. He attributed the floodwater management challenges to inadequate drainage channels built by the Lagos State Government, which were either blocked or insufficient.

To address this, Umahi’s administration is constructing hydraulic channels and service lanes along the coastal highway, aiming to improve flood evacuation and enhance residents’ access to the area. He projected a lifespan of 50 to 100 years for the project with minimal maintenance requirements.