The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged the Nigerian federal government to ensure transparency and accountability in the re-award of the N252.89 billion Abuja-Kaduna highway contract.
The group criticized 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 on Thursday ,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 read.
CISLAC warned that the lack of transparency undermines Nigeria’s development and urged immediate corrective action.
According to the group,the contract was initially revoked from Julius Berger Nigeria Plc 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 emphasized 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 organization appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order 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.