Lagos Coastal Highway Costs Spark Massive Controversy
Is Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway worth $20 billion? Should FG disclose costs?
Lagos Coastal Highway Costs Spark Massive Controversy
The 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has a tentative total cost estimated around ₦15.6 trillion (roughly $13 billion), though critics and public watchdogs—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—have raised alarms over a reported $20 billion borrowing plan and scaling financial commitments. [1, 2, 3]
Is it Worth the Cost?
Proponent Arguments: The Federal Ministry of Works (led by Dave Umahi) maintains that the project is a vital economic investment featuring six lanes, shore protection, flyovers, and deep-terrain engineering.The government projects that commercial activities, industrial clusters, and tourism along the corridor will recover the investment within 10 years. Phase 1 (47.47 km from Victoria Island, Lagos) alone costs about ₦1.067 trillion (roughly ₦7.5 billion to ₦11.57 billion per kilometre), which officials defend as competitive given the difficult coastal and swampy terrain. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Criticism & Concerns: Critics argue that the price tag is exorbitant—especially given Nigeria's acute public debt and infrastructural deficits in power and water supply. Questions have also been raised over the lack of competitive bidding for the contractor (Hitech/Chagoury group), frequent route adjustments, and the transparency of multi-billion-dollar financing. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Independent Audits: Critics advocate for an independent value-for-money audit and legislative oversight before additional public funds or foreign loans are approved, arguing that large-scale infrastructure funded through executive approvals rather than granular line-item budget disclosures requires public accountability.
Criticism & Concerns: Critics argue that the price tag is exorbitant—especially given Nigeria's acute public debt and infrastructural deficits in power and water supply. Questions have also been raised over the lack of competitive bidding for the contractor (Hitech/Chagoury group), frequent route adjustments, and the transparency of multi-billion-dollar financing. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Should the Federal Government Disclose Costs?
Calls for Transparency: Political figures and civil society groups demand full publication of original and revised contract documents, environmental impact assessments, exact payment schedules, and the terms of any linked external loans (such as proposed $20 billion or $747 million packages). [1, 2, 3, 4]
Independent Audits: Critics advocate for an independent value-for-money audit and legislative oversight before additional public funds or foreign loans are approved, arguing that large-scale infrastructure funded through executive approvals rather than granular line-item budget disclosures requires public accountability.
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