On Thursday, the House of Representatives made a decision to investigate the procurement process of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. This directive came after a motion put forth by Austin Achado during the plenary session.
The controversial 700 km roadway has sparked debates, especially regarding the removal of structures along the project’s right of way.
Achado, in his motion, pointed out that the agreement between the federal government and Hitech Construction Company Nigeria Limited for financing the project may have breached the Procurement Act of 2007.
According to the lawmaker, “Section 40(2) stipulates that in cases where a procuring authority opts for a Restrictive Tendering Approach, it should be because the goods and services are exclusively available from a limited number of suppliers and contractors. Therefore, tenders must be invited from all such contractors who can provide the required goods and services.”
Subsequent to the motion’s presentation, the House decided that the Committees on Procurement and Works should summon the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to elaborate on the procurement process to the House.