The 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the lack of proper notification regarding the demolition of tourist and recreational amenities, as well as other properties within the Oniru corridor, including sections of Landmark in Lagos State, to facilitate the construction of the Coastal Highway, is a key factor contributing to Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to attract foreign direct investments.
Criticism and praise continue to surround the ongoing development of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
In recent times, the demolition of numerous recreational centers in Lagos has been carried out to expedite the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has consistently defended the demolitions, stressing the necessity of clearing the landmark centre and others situated within the Federal Government’s Right-of-Way.
Compensation payments to affected property owners began on Wednesday, initiated by the Federal Government.
In a statement released by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday, Atiku alleged that the Coastal Highway project is being expedited solely due to the business ties between President Bola Tinubu and Gilbert Chagoury, the owner of Hitech, the contractor responsible for the highway project.
The ex-Vice President asserted that the contract was granted in violation of procurement regulations. He further highlighted that the involvement of President Bola Tinubu’s son and his associates on the boards of companies belonging to Gilbert Chagoury presents a clear conflict of interest.
He stated, “The fact that President Bola Tinubu’s son and his surrogates are on the board of companies owned by Gilbert Chagoury constitutes a conflict of interest.
The former Vice President noted that “Tinubu’s son, Seyi, is a director on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group, which manufactures ceramic tiles and sanitary towels.”
Atiku, describing it as unsurprising that the Chagoury Group had emerged as the primary recipient of Tinubu’s generosity, stated, “Thanks to quality reporting by Africa Intelligence, our suspicions have been confirmed that Chagoury and Tinubu are indeed business partners and it has been formalized with Seyi on the board of one of Chagoury’s firms.”
He contended that instead of enhancing the ease of doing business, the Tinubu government had allegedly demonstrated to the global community that his business endeavours and those of his family would consistently take precedence over national interests.
