In a critical statement on Sunday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns over the pilot phase of a project that seemingly revolves around Lagos, particularly within the sphere of Bola Tinubu’s business ventures. Atiku highlighted the business partnership between Tinubu and Chagoury, expressing skepticism about the project’s origins and implications.
Atiku said the 700-kilometre (km) Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Limited (Hitech), owned by Gilbert Chagoury.
He spoke in a statement signed by Paul Ibe, his media adviser, on Sunday.
“Atiku pointed out that Hitech, a company owned by Chagoury, previously faced difficulties in completing the 50km Lekki-Epe Expressway,” the statement reads. “Despite the installation of two tollgates, the company, as part of the Lekki Concession Company consortium, only managed to construct approximately 20km of the road. This prompted the Lagos State Government to repurchase the project for N7.5 billion ($50 million at the time) in 2013, resulting in financial losses for the state.”
Atiku’s remarks shed light on the complexities surrounding the project’s execution and its implications for Lagos residents. The former Vice President’s commentary underscores broader concerns about accountability and transparency in public-private partnerships within Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.
