21/07/2026
Thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Otuocha–Nzam–Ibaji Road Project: Separating Facts from Claims
By, Dozie Ikedife Jr.
The people of Anambra State have every reason to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for advancing the rehabilitation of the Otuocha–Nzam–Innoma–Iheaka–Ibaji (Kogi State) Road. This project is of immense economic and social importance to the communities it serves.
However, public discourse on the project should be guided by verifiable facts and the official procurement timeline.
With due respect, the claim by Governor Chukwuma Soludo that his meeting with President Bola Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Works on 2 July 2026 led to the approval of the redesign of the road project is difficult to reconcile with the documented sequence of events.
The Documented Timeline
- 2022/2023: Phase I of the project was re-awarded to include the construction of three bridges and several box culverts. Two of the bridges have since been completed.
- July 2025: Following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Works, the project was divided into two phases. Phase II was subsequently rescoped, redesigned, re-evaluated, and approved to proceed through the procurement process.
- 14 May 2026: The Federal Ministry of Works submitted an application to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for a Certificate of No Objection, accompanied by the approved engineering design and Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) for Phase II.
- 15 May 2026: The Bureau of Public Procurement issued its Certificate of No Objection, authorizing the Ministry of Works to proceed with the award process.
- 22 May 2026: The Ministerial Tenders Board approved the rescoped Phase II contract in the sum of ₦97,825,535,803.12.
- 4 June 2026: The Federal Ministry of Works formally awarded the Phase II contract to NIGERCAT Construction Limited.
The Facts Speak for Themselves
The official records indicate that the rescoping, redesign, engineering design, BEME preparation, procurement approvals, and contract award had all been completed before the meeting of 2 July 2026.
This naturally raises an important question:
Can the design, BEME, and procurement process of a Federal road project be initiated or approved in July 2026 when the contract had already been formally awarded on 4 June 2026?
The answer appears self-evident.
The issuance of a contract award marks the completion of the procurement process. Before any Federal road contract can be awarded, the engineering design, Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME), procurement approvals, and statutory clearances must already have been concluded.
Accordingly, the documented timeline does not support the assertion that these processes were initiated or approved following the meeting of 2 July 2026.
Giving Credit Where It Is Due
The Government of Anambra State deserves recognition for maintaining constructive engagement with the Federal Government on matters affecting federal infrastructure within the State. Such cooperation is beneficial and should be encouraged.
However, based on the available official records, there is no evidence that the State Government played a role in the approval or award of the Phase II contract/ project.
It is more accurate to acknowledge that the project was advanced through the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Works, and the statutory procurement institutions that completed the approval process. Few members of the National Assembly from Anambra State who advocated for the project may also deserve recognition for their support.
Ultimately, the people of Anambra State owe the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, gratitude for the award and continued advancement of this critical road project.
In public affairs, facts—not conflicting narratives—should remain the foundation upon which credit is assigned.
Dozie Ikedife
APC Zonal Organizing Secretary (South East)
