The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu recommended a specific company for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the project in Lagos on Saturday, Umahi explained that Hitech Construction Company Ltd. was awarded the contract based on its expertise, not favoritism.
He addressed concerns over the bidding process, saying, “Some people claim there was no competitive bidding, but that’s not true. The law allows for three types of procurement: restrictive procurement, selective/competitive bidding, and open bidding.”
According to Umahi, Hitech was chosen because of its experience with large-scale concrete road projects, including the reconstruction of the Oworonshoki-Apapa Road. He added that the company met key criteria, such as having the required specialized equipment.
“When we started this project, we needed companies with at least five concrete pavers, which were not common in Nigeria at the time. Hitech had the expertise, so we used restrictive bidding, which was approved by the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council,” he explained.
Umahi further clarified that as more companies acquired the necessary equipment, subsequent sections of the project were opened to selective bidding. Hitech won those rounds fairly.
“We followed due process and stayed within the law. President Tinubu never recommended any company, and there is no corruption involved in this project,” he asserted.
