The Independent Media and Policy Initiative IMPI has said there is enough proof to support the federal government’s choice to contract Hitech for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, the think tank group said its study of the situation showed that all the claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who sparked the controversy were off the mark and targeted at discrediting the project. It added that aside from successfully handling the Bar Beach Shoreline protection, Hitech also has a history of constructing coastal highways with reinforced concrete outside of Nigeria. IMPI said after making discreet and open enquiries on the company’s credentials and contract portfolios, it concluded that it may pass as the only Nigerian company able to construct the coastal road. The policy group also insisted that a cost analysis of road projects like the Lagos-Calabar highway in some parts of the world showed that the cost of the project was appropriate.
IMPI also noted that at the time the former Vice President stirred controversy over the Lagos-Calabar highway, a criminal court in Panama had opened the trial of the first batch of 27 individuals accused of money laundering related to the global “Panama Papers” revelations. It added that international media reports indicate that investigations are ongoing on the next batch of individuals listed in the Panama Papers which may include the two-time presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who is number 68 on the list of exposed former top government officials using shell companies.
