Atiku slams President Tinubu over lack of transparency in execution of Lagos-Calabar Highway project

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has condemned the absence of proper notification regarding the demolition of properties in the Oniru corridor, including significant landmarks and tourist attractions in Lagos State, to facilitate the construction of the Coastal Highway.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku attributed Nigeria’s struggle to attract foreign direct investment partly to the flawed decision-making surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Highway, spearheaded by the administration led by President Bola Tinubu.

Atiku alleged that the accelerated progress of the Coastal Highway project is primarily driven by personal interests, pointing fingers at President Tinubu and Gilbert Chagoury, the owner of Hitech, the contracted firm for the highway.

He criticized the procurement process, citing violations and conflicts of interest involving Tinubu’s son and associates on Chagoury’s company boards.

Highlighting the urgency of the project and its exorbitant cost amidst Nigeria’s economic challenges, Atiku emphasized the need for transparent and competitive bidding processes to safeguard taxpayers’ interests.

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Moreover, Atiku raised concerns about the lack of adequate notice for the demolition of properties in the Oniru corridor, stressing that such actions deter foreign investments and undermine the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

He cautioned against prioritizing personal business interests over national welfare, asserting that investors closely monitor the treatment of local businesses as an indicator of the investment climate.

In response to Tinubu’s efforts to attract foreign investments, Atiku pointed out the absence of tangible outcomes, citing manufacturing losses and investor skepticism due to policy inconsistencies.

Referring to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Atiku lamented Nigeria’s economic decline and called for improved governance and adherence to due process in infrastructure projects.

Atiku criticized the rushed execution of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, highlighting procedural flaws and financial irregularities, and urged a more transparent and accountable approach to infrastructure development in Nigeria.