Re-awarded Contract for Abuja-Kaduna Highway to Inactive Company
The federal government has re-awarded the revoked section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway to an inactive and obscure company, Daily Trust investigations report. The company, Infoquest Nigeria Limited, secured the contract for the completion of the remaining sector of Section 2 of the Abuja-Kaduna highway. This decision was announced by the Minister of Works, Sen David Umahi.
Status of Infoquest
Despite this announcement, Daily Trust reports that the status of Infoquest Nigeria Limited is inactive on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) website. This means that awarding the contract to the company violates the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. The company has not paid annual returns since its establishment and lacks a digital presence, raising questions about its capacity and legitimacy to execute such a significant national project.
Tracing company address in Lagos
Daily Trust dispatched a reporter to trace the address of Infoquest Nigeria Limited in Lagos. The listed address was 39, Falohun Street, Orile, Lagos. However, upon investigation, the building was found to be a residential storey building with no sign of any construction company or construction work. Sources at CAC confirmed that the information on their website is up to date, and an ‘inactive’ status indicates non-compliance with government obligations.
Ministry denies awarding contract
When contacted, the Ministry of Works denied that the contract was awarded to Infoquest Nigeria Limited. The Director of Press for the Ministry, Mohammed A. Ahmed, clarified that the minister only received a certificate and did not announce the contract award. Attempts to reach the director for further explanation were unsuccessful.
In light of these revelations, questions arise about the legitimacy and capacity of Infoquest Nigeria Limited to undertake such a substantial national project. The implications of awarding contracts to inactive companies raise concerns about accountability, transparency, and adherence to legal requirements in government procurement processes. The need for thorough due diligence and oversight in awarding contracts to ensure that taxpayer funds are used responsibly is paramount.
