Transparency International slams $13 billion coastal highway contract awarded to billionaire Gilbert Chagoury amid corruption concerns. Project sparks protests, opposition backlash over lack of transparency.
A storm of controversy has engulfed Nigeria's federal government after it awarded a multi-billion dollar coastal highway contract to a company owned by Gilbert Chagoury, a billionaire businessman with a history of corruption allegations. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Transparency International and opposition figures, who question the lack of transparency and potential for graft in the massive infrastructure project.
The 700-kilometer Atlantic coastal highway, linking Lagos to Calabar, is estimated to cost a staggering $13 billion, with Chagoury's Hitech Construction Company Ltd. securing the lucrative contract. Chagoury, described as a "confidante" of newly elected President Bola Tinubu, has faced scrutiny over his ties to former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and illegal campaign contributions in the United States.
Transparency International's Nigerian head, Auwal Rafsanjani, lambasted the contract award, suggesting it was an "inflated" deal driven by personal gain rather than public interest. "You can see that it's an inflated contract that has been given simply because some people believe that they will make money out of it," he said, decrying the lack of transparency around such projects.
The government has mounted a vigorous defense, with Works Minister Dave Umahi insisting the project followed due process and claiming it was included in the 2024 budget. However, opposition leaders like Atiku Abubakar have raised concerns about the secrecy surrounding the project's terms and Tinubu's alleged business ties with Chagoury.
As the controversy rages, civil society groups and residents affected by the project's construction have also voiced their dissent. Protests have erupted in areas like Victoria Island, where buildings, including sections of the popular Landmark beach complex, have been demolished to make way for the highway.
