The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has raised concerns over the Federal Government’s decision to re-award the N252.89 billion Abuja-Kaduna highway contract to Infoquest Nigeria Limited, a company listed as inactive by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC called for an investigation into the procurement process, citing transparency and accountability issues.
“This decision represents a blatant violation of procurement laws and corporate governance principles,” CISLAC stated. “Corruption in public procurement is one of the biggest challenges undermining Nigeria’s development, and immediate corrective action is needed.”
The contract was re-awarded after being revoked from Julius Berger Nigeria Plc due to pricing disputes and project delays. Findings by Daily Trust revealed that Infoquest Nigeria Limited has not filed annual returns since its registration in 1997, has a share capital of N100,000, and has no visible operational presence at its listed Lagos address.
CISLAC criticized the decision to award a high-value contract to a company with questionable credentials. “This raises critical questions about the due diligence conducted by the relevant authorities,” Rafsanjani said.
The Public Procurement Act of 2007 requires contracts to be awarded through competitive and transparent processes to qualified contractors. CISLAC stated that this decision contravenes the Act and Sections 525 and 583 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, which disqualify inactive companies from public procurement.
“This situation reflects poorly on Nigeria’s procurement practices and raises concerns about possible political interference or corruption in the selection process,” CISLAC stated.
The group has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an investigation and hold those involved accountable. “The government must take decisive steps to restore public confidence by ensuring that those responsible for this debacle are held accountable. Corruption in procurement is the most prevalent form of corruption in Nigeria and must be addressed to safeguard national resources,” the statement read.
CISLAC also called for reforms in Nigeria’s procurement system, emphasizing stricter oversight mechanisms and enhanced transparency measures.
“The Abuja-Kaduna highway is a critical infrastructure project, and its mismanagement would have devastating consequences for economic activities and citizen safety,” Rafsanjani said.
The re-award of the contract has sparked outrage, with many questioning the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Citizens have called for adherence to due process, especially for projects vital to national development.
CISLAC pledged to work with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), civil society organizations, and international partners to ensure adherence to global best practices in public procurement.
“We will not relent in our efforts to ensure that public resources are utilized for the benefit of all Nigerians,” Rafsanjani affirmed.
