One of the presenters of the Morning Show on Arise News, Mr Rufai Oseni, took to his twitter handle to continue to question the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Our Questions

1. The Road project is expected to take 5 years to complete: would it not be more economically viable to commence the roadworks in the least commercially active areas along the Road as against the current intention of immediately decimating an Ecosystem that supports over 80 businesses and consequently the livelihoods of thousands of Nigerians?

2. Were all businesses, communities, and stakeholders whose businesses and property are currently under imminent threat of destruction properly notified or consulted on the adverse effects of the Road so that a win-win solution could be achieved?

3. In view of the fact that one of the main objectives of the Road project is to grow tourism and its attendant socio-economic benefits, why is such a commendable undertaking starting by demolishing the already existing homegrown tourism businesses that are already contributing greatly to the beachfront tourism landscape and overall economy in terms of tax revenue, job creation, SME development, etc?

4. The entire Road measures 700km: is it not possible to reroute less than a 1.5km stretch of it back to its original course on the unoccupied Water Corporation Road median in order to avoid the destruction of local businesses and livelihoods located along the current intended right of way?
5. Was due process followed in awarding the contract to Hitech Construction Company Limited?

6. Why was the Julius Berger contract cancelled? Who cancelled it and when was this done?

7. How many contractors have been appointed with respect to this Project?

8. The Road was originally meant to be developed on a Build, Operate and Transfer (“BOT”) basis: why has government reversing course and now self-funding it?

Source: Oseni Rufai

Rufai claims there were 57 active businesses that were impacted. Since he is now the mouthpiece of those businesses, can he list them?

As far as September 2023, talks began with HiTech on the project, where was Rufai Oseni? Why didn't he raise the alarm then, WHY NOW?

While raising the question about Landmark properties and alignment, Rufai Oseni refused to admit whether Landmark violated the right of way. He also did not state whether Landmark illegally utilized the asset in question. He also did not address the fact that only a marginal portion of Landmark was affected.

When the initial propaganda failed, they shifted to EIA and EISA. The Ministry of Environment already said they issued a waiver. But Rufai Oseni, who requested access to the audited books of someone's private enterprise, is not satisfied.

He also claims the owner of HiTech is Tinubu's personal friend. Does he want us to discuss his boss' personal friends and associates? Did they not give media protection to Emefiele, Okowa, PDP and Atiku? If they didn't, why were they hell bent on humiliating Tinubu with their boss even writing to accuse Tinubu of Noriega moment. If there was no personal or business interest for them, why did they take it so personal?

Then they accused the minister of staying in Eko Hotel and Suites; what has that got to do with anything?

On the surface, Rufai Oseni and Arise News have serious questions; but the questions are not balanced, because they have not asked Landmark questions. They have clearly taken a side and they are fighting for either personal or business interests. Yesterday, it became clear when they interviewed a former Commissioner of Police. The conversation was accusatory and not intermediatory. Answers provided by the government are never acceptable to them, but they believe everything the Landmark CEO says.

Rufai Oseni, you claim to fact check everything. Please fact-check whether Landmark rightfully owned that land and whether he was cleared to build there.

One more point to make: you claim there was no stakeholder engagement before demolition. David Umahi sat down in your studio to say that he met with the CEO of Landmark and that they adjusted their plans to spare his properties. You also asked why properties not previously marked for demolition and outside the right
of way were demolished. As a journalist, you ought to be aware that notices of demolition were sent to all affected parties and they complied.

How come only Landmark is complaining?

What is Arise News/Rufai Oseni's personal/business interest here?

PS: When a former editor and a firmer executive director of PUNCH newspapers had a fight over one of them allegedly collecting millions of naira from corrupt politicians and businessmen to give them positive press coverage and kill negative stories, both of them were forced out of the media house. It became clear that some journalists used the media to promote personal and business interests. So if you see any media house seemingly pursuing or protecting someone's business interest, even at the expense of the public good, money is involved.

How come Channels TV, NTA, TVC or AIT are not fighting or protecting any interests? Why certain journalists from certain media houses?

Rufai Oseni asked to see the account statements of someone's private business. Can Rufai Oseni publish his own account statements so we are convinced he did not receive a PR contract to use his platform to demarket the coastal road project

Even before Peter Obi did, I criticised the project when it was awarded because I thought that the trillions of naira it should engulf should go into more important industries, chiefly agriculture and power.

But then, I have come to understand that this country doesn't understand what is called a priority and that has made it a big mess!

These are serious questions. Umahi may end up in a serious mess after the tenure of Tinubu.

Why won't he, when poor Oseni invested his hard earned money on Peter Obi's election with the hope of being appointed as minister of communication.

Hahahah, Owo kupe as Eluup luule piiiiii

Nigeria is gone

Vital questions.

But as usual, they will attack him and pour venom on him for daring to ask these vital questions.


Atiku rightly described the project as a highway of fraud.

Gilbert Chagoury and Tinubu are friends. Why would the FG headed by Tinubu award a 700 km road, bridges and rail to a single company?
Shorter roads are award about 4 to 5 contractors, why is this one special

There are more questions that Tinubu will answer on the ChagouryGate

nnatobryno:
Nigeria is gone

Gone where?

One of the characteristics of an APC member is inability to think!!!!!. Watch how they will come and attack rufai

jeff1993:
One of the characteristics of an APC member is inability to think!!!!!. Watch how they will come and attack rufai

Bobloco:
Vital questions.

But as usual, they will attack him and pour venom on him for daring to ask these vital questions.


Atiku rightly described the project as a highway of fraud. 

All those places Nigerians have been travelling to and enjoy such kind of coastal road projects, how have they been doing it that we can't replicate same in Nigeria?

SoNature:
I criticised the project when it was awarded because I thought that the trillions of naira it should engulf should go into more important industries, chiefly agriculture and power.

But then, I have come to understand that this country doesn't understand what is called a priority and that has made it a big mess!

Exactly debt servicing and recurrent expenditure is more than 3 times our revenue

We manage to see 800 billion and you thing the best use us to build a road in a location that already have different roads leading to the same destination?

Coastal road to fraud

Pandora Obituary and Oseni are into conce

helinues:




All those places Nigerians have been travelling to and enjoy such kind of coastal road projects, how have they been doing it that we can't replicate same in Nigeria?

Just like I said .... inability to think is your problem!!!

Answer the questions he put forward thats if u have any brains to think.

jeff1993:


Just like I said .... inability to think is your problem!!!

Answer the questions he put forward thats if u have any brains to think.

No response can satisfy the oppositions even after the clarifications, so why wasting time?

helinues:




All those places Nigerians have been travelling to and enjoy such kind of coastal road projects, how have they been doing it that we can't replicate same in Nigeria?

So because other countries have coastal roads, we must have them too.

Why are we not enjoying constant electricity like those countries? What about healthcare, education, and other stuff that makes life meaningful? Why are we not replicating all of them here?

Oseni missed the position he thought he would get under Peter girigory Obi, so he is embittered and grieving

Bobloco:



So because other countries have coastal roads, we must have them too.

Why are we not enjoying constant electricity like those countries? What about healthcare, education, and other stuff that makes life meaningful? Why are we not replicating all of them here?

Has the electricity not been improved?

Rufai Oseni is a politician not a journalist! He has every right to hustle.

But you refuse to answer his ba ?

jeff1993:


Just like I said .... inability to think is your problem!!!

Answer the questions he put forward thats if u have any brains to think.

Will all be replicated at the same time ?

Bobloco:

So because other countries have coastal roads, we must have them too.

Why are we not enjoying constant electricity like those countries? What about healthcare, education, and other stuff that makes life meaningful? Why are we not replicating all of them here?

helinues:




All those places Nigerians have been travelling to and enjoy such kind of coastal road projects, how have they been doing it that we can't replicate same in Nigeria?

Inability to think is a major problem most agbadorians have .

Agbado and tribalism done finish this one brain completely

b

Please my people Let support this government to succeed.

Ggg

emkz:
Rufai claims there were 57 active businesses that were impacted. Since he is now the mouthpiece of those businesses, can he list them?

As far as September 2023, talks began with HiTech on the project, where was Rufai Oseni? Why didn't he raise the alarm then, WHY NOW?

While raising the question about Landmark properties and alignment, Rufai Oseni refused to admit whether Landmark violated the right of way. He also did not state whether Landmark illegally utilized the asset in question. He also did not address the fact that only a marginal portion of Landmark was affected.

When the initial propaganda failed, they shifted to EIA and EISA. The Ministry of Environment already said they issued a waiver. But Rufai Oseni, who requested access to the audited books of someone's private enterprise, is not satisfied.

He also claims the owner of HiTech is Tinubu's personal friend. Does he want us to discuss his boss' personal friends and associates? Did they not give media protection to Emefiele, Okowa, PDP and Atiku? If they didn't, why were they hell bent on humiliating Tinubu with their boss even writing to accuse Tinubu of Noriega moment. If there was no personal or business interest for them, why did they take it so personal?

Then they accused the minister of staying in Eko Hotel and Suites; what has that got to do with anything?

On the surface, Rufai Oseni and Arise News have serious questions; but the questions are not balanced, because they have not asked Landmark questions. They have clearly taken a side and they are fighting for either personal or business interests. Yesterday, it became clear when they interviewed a former Commissioner of Police. The conversation was accusatory and not intermediatory. Answers provided by the government are never acceptable to them, but they believe everything the Landmark CEO says.

Rufai Oseni, you claim to fact check everything. Please fact-check whether Landmark rightfully owned that land and whether he was cleared to build there.

One more point to make: you claim there was no stakeholder engagement before demolition. David Umahi sat down in your studio to say that he met with the CEO of Landmark and that they adjusted their plans to spare his properties. You also asked why properties not previously marked for demolition and outside the right
of way were demolished. As a journalist, you ought to be aware that notices of demolition were sent to all affected parties and they complied.

How come only Landmark is complaining?

What is Arise News/Rufai Oseni's personal/business interest here?

PS: When a former editor and a firmer executive director of PUNCH newspapers had a fight over one of them allegedly collecting millions of naira from corrupt politicians and businessmen to give them positive press coverage and kill negative stories, both of them were forced out of the media house. It became clear that some journalists used the media to promote personal and business interests. So if you see any media house seemingly pursuing or protecting someone's business interest, even at the expense of the public good, money is involved.

How come Channels TV, NTA, TVC or AIT are not fighting or protecting any interests? Why certain journalists from certain media houses?

Rufai Oseni asked to see the acvohnt statements of someone's private business. Can Rufai Oseni publish his own accpunt statements so we are convinced he did not receive a PR contract to use his platform to demarket the coastal road project

TRASH

This road project and indeed all developmental projects across the country will be completed and the gates of hell shall not prevail

Nigerians don't ask their leaders questions. They have no interest in holding their leaders accountable. And when they see someone who dares to ask, they read tribal, religious or political sentiments into such attempt. More like slavery complex. Just read some comments on this thread to get my point.

helinues:




All those places Nigerians have been travelling to and enjoy such kind of coastal road projects, how have they been doing it that we can't replicate same in Nigeria?

You think coastal roads are born out of the need for luxury?
Those roads you and your colleagues are brandishing all over nairaland was born out of the need to create access to areas without one...
The coastal roads are the only routes to those areas..

Well meaning and well traveled Nigerians are concerned about the sensibility in building a coastal road that already has more than 2 bad and depleting routes to the same location.