{
  "id": 12027033,
  "title": "Tinubu didn’t influence coastal highway contract — Umahi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/tinubu-didnt-influence-coastal-highway-contract-umahi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T23:38:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/tinubu-didnt-influence-coastal-highway-contract-umahi/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Minister of Works David Umahi stated on Sunday that President Bola Tinubu did not instruct him to award the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to Hitech Construction Company. Umahi emphasized that he took full responsibility for the controversial contract award. He dismissed allegations that the project was a conduit for money laundering by the administration, stating that Hitech was chosen due to its expertise in addressing coastal erosion and restoring Victoria Island. During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Umahi clarified that the President never asked him to award the contract to Hitech. He also addressed concerns over the procurement process, asserting that the law permitted alternative forms of procurement, including restrictive selective tendering for urgent projects. Umahi defended the selection of Hitech, citing the company's previous work in Lagos that demonstrated its capability to tackle coastal erosion. He rejected suggestions that a personal friendship between Tinubu and Hitech’s owner, Gilbert Chagoury, influenced the decision. Umahi explained that the project's funding plan bypassed the National Assembly, as it pertained to borrowing rather than the procurement itself. He further elaborated on the project's objectives, including creating hydraulic channels to mitigate flooding and enhance accessibility for Lagos residents.",
  "summary": "Works Minister David Umahi says President Tinubu did not direct him to award the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract to Hitech Construction Company. Read More: https://punchng.com/tinubu-didnt-influence-coastal-highway-contract-umahi/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Tinubu never asked me to give Lagos-Calabar highway contract to Hitech – Umahi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/tinubu-never-asked-me-to-give-lagos-calabar-highway-contract-to",
        "published": "2026-10-04T22:08:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}