The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged the Nigerian federal government to ensure transparency and accountability in re-awarding the N252.89 billion Abuja-Kaduna highway contract.
The group criticised the alleged secrecy surrounding the process, calling it a violation of Nigeria’s public procurement laws.
In a statement signed by its executive director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani yesterday demanded an immediate investigation into the procurement process and the individuals involved.
It highlighted concerns over discrepancies in the awarded company’s name, with debates revolving around “Infoquest” and “Infiouest.”
“The manner in which the re-award of the contract was handled may represent a blatant violation of procurement laws and corporate governance principles,” the statement reads.
CISLAC warned that the lack of transparency undermines Nigeria’s development and urged immediate corrective action.
According to the group, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc initially revoked the contract due to pricing disputes and delays in project completion.
However, CISLAC questioned the credentials of the newly awarded company and raised doubts about the due diligence conducted during the selection process.
The group emphasised that the Public Procurement Act of 2007 mandates competitive and transparent bidding for government contracts.
“We demand full disclosure of the bidding process, including the evaluation criteria and the rationale for selecting the company awarded such a large-scale infrastructure project,” CISLAC said.
The organisation appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for an independent investigation into the matter and urged anti-corruption agencies to probe the process.
CISLAC also recommended reforms to strengthen oversight and transparency in Nigeria’s procurement system.
“The Abuja-Kaduna highway is a critical infrastructure project, and its mismanagement would have devastating consequences for economic activities and citizen safety,” Rafsanjani noted.
