Abuja-Lagos projects: Construction firm denies affiliation with consortium, engineer
CHIGOZIE AMADI
AEC Unity Network Limited has said it has no relationship with AEC-Geofocus Consortium or its representatives regarding a planned Abuja-Lagos Super Highway and High-Speed Train projects.
AEC Unity Network, which reaffirmed the company as the officially recognised concessionaire for the projects, said the denial was necessary following some claims circulating in the media, which it described as “misleading.”
According to the construction company, an engineer, Yinka Idris, claimed involvement in the projects on behalf of Geofocus.
In a recent report seen online, Idris, said to be the Director of Operations of AEC-Geofocus, stated that the Federal Government was set to commence the Lagos-Abuja Super highway/high-speed train projects tentatively by February 2025, noting that the project would cost $16bn.
He further revealed that the project, which would have 500 kilometres, would connect Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to him, it will also have a design, build, finance, operate, and maintain model.
“The $16bn project will be led by AEC-Geofocus, a consortium of engineers, planners, and investors and plans have been concluded to commence it by February this year 2024,” Business Day quoted him as saying.
However, AEC Unity Network, in a statement obtained Sunday, described the claims as baseless and an attempt to mislead the public.
In a statement, signed by the legal consultant to AEC Unity Network Limited, Ayodeji Ademola, the concessionaire underscored the company’s commitment to transparency and its exclusive mandate to execute the project.
The firm reaffirmed that it was the sole concessionaire authorised by the Federal Government “to design, finance, construct, operate, and maintain the 470-kilometre superhighway and high-speed rail linking Abuja and Lagos.”
The firm noted that its approvals were from the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.
It alleged that some individuals and entities were engaged in deceptive practices to gain undue recognition for projects they were not affiliated with.
“We categorically state that AEC Unity Network Limited has no relationship whatsoever with Engineer Mutiu Yinka Idris, Prince Fisayo, or Geofocus,” the company stated, warning the public, particularly local and foreign investors, to disregard contrary claims.
The company stressed that its projects were still in the planning stages and that no other concurrent developments were authorised on the Abuja-Lagos corridor.
“These fraudulent claims are completely at variance with our proposed infrastructure plans and are intended to confuse and defraud unsuspecting stakeholders,” the statement added.
It added that the Abuja-Lagos Super Highway and High-Speed Train projects are cornerstone initiatives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at enhancing national infrastructure and economic development.
