Atiku Challenges Tinubu Over Lagos-Calabar Highway Reroute

Former vice-president and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain the decision to reroute sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway through an existing road.

Atiku said the decision raised questions about the original project design, contract costs and the government’s reported plan to seek a fresh $20 billion loan linked to the project.

He made the remarks in a statement on Monday following an announcement by Dave Umahi, minister of works, that Tinubu had directed the highway to be rerouted through the existing East-West Road from Ondo State into Edo State.

Umahi said the directive was intended to prevent the construction of a new alignment along the corridor.

According to the minister, Tinubu directed that the coastal highway should follow the existing East-West Road rather than a new route.

The minister also cited flooding challenges along the road, particularly around the Ughelli axis in Delta State, as part of the considerations behind the decision.

He explained that the existing road was constructed before the effects of climate change were adequately anticipated, adding that recent flooding had exposed its vulnerability.

Umahi said the Federal Government planned to raise sections of the road by about two metres above the existing level and anticipated flood levels.

The minister also defended the rerouting of sections of the coastal highway in Ondo State, saying the original alignment presented significant engineering challenges.

He said the government had redesigned the route to avoid difficult terrain and was undertaking extensive filling works, which were almost completed.

According to Umahi, the initial alignment passed through pits exceeding 100 metres in depth and areas where suitable sharp sand was unavailable for construction up to a depth of 300 metres.

He said the challenges would have significantly increased construction costs.

The minister put the total length of the Ondo-Edo corridor, including the bypass, at 104 kilometres.

However, Atiku questioned whether the government had adequately studied the engineering and environmental conditions before awarding the contract.

He demanded the publication of the original feasibility studies, revised designs and other engineering documents to enable Nigerians to assess the changes.

Atiku said the government must explain how the rerouting would affect the contract price and disclose the amounts already paid for work on the original alignment.

He described the development as evidence of what he called Tinubu’s “Yahoo-Yahoo” style of government, accusing the administration of making grand announcements, changing its promises and leaving Nigerians to bear the financial consequences.

The former vice-president also linked the development to the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that Nigerians should not be made to bear the cost of another major government decision without adequate explanations.

He further raised concerns over reports that the Presidency was pressuring the National Assembly to approve a fresh $20 billion loan in connection with the highway project.

Atiku demanded that Tinubu clarify whether such a borrowing request was being prepared and whether any portion of the proposed funds would be allocated to Hitech, the contractor handling the project.

He also called for the publication of the proposed loan, the contracts it would finance and records of payments already made.

“If work on the original route will no longer be done, what has been removed from the contract? How much has already been paid? What is the revised price?” Atiku asked.

He insisted that the government must explain the financial implications of the revised alignment and provide documentary evidence to justify any additional borrowing.

Atiku said Tinubu should personally address the concerns, adding that Nigerians deserved transparency on the project’s revised scope, cost and financing.

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