However, Umahi refuted these claims and emphasized that the project had complied 100% with the Procurement Act and gone through the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing (EPC+F) procurement process.
This process involved unsolicited bids, with the investor providing designs, financing, and construction, while the government paid counterpart funds. Umahi's statement further clarified that the project had received a "No Objection" certificate from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The minister added that the bid for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project came through the EPC+F process, and the BPP issued a certificate of 'No Objection' on the project to the Federal Ministry of Works. The FEC then deliberated on and approved the project. The minister also addressed Atiku's concerns about the cost of the project, pointing out that he had saved billions of Naira in the review, redesign, and award of contracts.
Umahi noted that the design, dimension, and concept of the project had been reviewed upward, yet the cost was drastically reduced downwards.
He explained that the old concept and design of the project relied on a 52-meter corridor with asphalt, whereas the new concept had a 100-meter corridor with a total concrete pavement of 59.2 meters and an increased size of 10 lanes, with a provision for 25 meters for train tracks. Umahi also mentioned that Atiku's analysis of the coastal road project's cost standard could not stand the test of time due to the high water table at the coastal area. The minister emphasized that the quality of road design and construction by the current administration for the coastal road is such that it will last for 50 to 100 years. Moreover, Umahi argued that the former vice president's claim that the son of the president has an interest in CDK Integrated Industries Ltd was not tenable. The company that bid for the project was Hitech Construction Company Nigeria Ltd, which has a full legal personality, he explained. The minister also addressed the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process, noting that there was a preliminary approval issued in December 2023 by the Federal Ministry of Environment and renewed in January 2024.
Umahi stated that the ESIA certification is progressive with the project's progress and final certification issued when all issues are resolved.
The minister added that the process of ESIA involves constant stakeholders' engagement, with him participating in two of the meetings in Lagos, which were broadcast live. In conclusion, Umahi emphasized that the project would trigger economic growth, raise GDP, create greater tourism potential, create wealth and job opportunities, attract wider Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), boost coastal businesses, trade and market development, and promote industrialization, especially along the coastal corridors. He accused Atiku of displaying the highest level of hypocrisy and misleading the public for selfish political reasons.