The Federal Government has said it has not yet awarded the contract for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway construction to any firm contrary to information in the public domain.
However, the Federal Government said it has recently opened discussion with Hitech Construction Company on the construction of the highway.
It added that a second meeting with the company is being considered to further assess the possibility of the project being handled by them.
The Federal Ministry of Works said this on Sunday in reaction to controversies generated by the reports that the contract for the Lagos – Calabar highway has been awarded to Hitech.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi was quoted as making the revelation while stating that works on the construction of the road will start soon.
However, some Nigerians had queried when the contract for the Lagos -Calabar Coastal Highway was awarded and all the laws related to public procurement were observed in giving the job to Hitech.
But in a statement by Mrs Blessing Lere-Adams, its Director, (Information) Press and Public Relations Unit, the Federal Ministry of Works, denied media reports that the contract had been awarded.
According to the statement, the information credited to the Minister of Works, David Umahi was “totally untrue and misleading”.
“The general public is to please note and be well guided for the RECORDS. The FG has only recently opened a maiden discussion with the engineering company- HITECH on this project, a second meeting is being considered to further assess the possibility of the project being handled by them.
“The ministry has not awarded any such contract nor has signed any such contract agreement with any company in this regard.
“To this effect, media organisations are to please ensure their facts are duly authenticated with the Federal Ministry of Works before putting out incorrect information to the public.
“Let’s be more thorough in our journalistic activities as the ministry appreciates as always the cordial and positive reportage of the ministry’s policies and programmes,” she said. (NAN)