The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has voiced strong concerns regarding the federal government's decision to alter the alignment of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project alongside reports of a potential $20 billion loan request.
His reaction follows an official announcement from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, confirming that President Bola Tinubu approved redirecting sections of the coastal highway onto the existing inland East-West Road through Ondo and Edo States. The decision comes amid growing scrutiny over indications that the administration is preparing to seek National Assembly approval for a fresh $20 billion credit facility linked to the infrastructure scheme.
Atiku criticized the government for altering the fundamental scope of a project originally marketed as a dedicated coastal corridor. He argued that re-routing parts of the highway inland represents a significant departure from the original proposal rather than a minor design tweak, demanding that the financial terms and overall contract cost be re-examined to match the altered work scope.
Questioning the project's initial planning and execution, the former Vice President urged the Ministry of Works to release all underlying engineering studies, original environmental impact assessments, and revised technical blueprints. He emphasized that the public deserves complete transparency regarding whether comprehensive feasibility assessments covering flood risks and swampy terrains were conducted prior to awarding the contracts.
Atiku drew parallels between the highway project's handling and previous major economic decisions by the current administration, such as the sudden removal of the petrol subsidy, which he noted has severely impacted household finances across the country. He warned against forcing citizens to shoulder additional national debt for a project undergoing mid-course revisions without full public disclosure of the financial records.
Directly addressing the executive arm, Atiku called on President Tinubu to clarify whether a $20 billion borrowing proposal is currently being drafted for legislative approval and to detail which specific contract sections, certified works, or executing firms would be funded by such a loan. He urged the administration to explicitly confirm or deny the existence of the loan request and to publish a comprehensive breakdown of all funds previously disbursed alongside any revised project costs.