Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called for clarification on the reported rerouting of sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and reports of a proposed loan of up to US$20 billion.
Reacting on Monday through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the Federal Government should provide details of the highway project’s original and revised routes.
He urged the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, to publish the original feasibility and environmental studies, the original and revised designs and route maps, as well as contract details, including variations, approvals and payment certificates.
Atiku said that if sections of the original route would no longer be constructed, the government should explain what had been removed from the project’s scope, how much had been paid so far and what the revised cost was.
He also said reports suggesting that a loan request of up to US$20 billion was being prepared, reportedly in connection with payments for the coastal highway and Hitech Construction Company, required a public response.
Atiku asked the Federal Government to confirm or deny whether such a loan request existed and, if it did, to disclose its purpose, terms, the projects it would finance and the certified work it would cover.
He also expressed concern over reports of pressure on members of the National Assembly to approve the anticipated loan request. He called on the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that any borrowing proposal was subjected to proper scrutiny and a public hearing.
He said capital projects should be budgeted for transparently and subjected to independent audits.