According to a report by Daily Trust, the Federal Government has re-awarded the Abuja-Kaduna highway contract to Infoquest Nigeria Limited, an inactive and relatively obscure company. This decision has raised significant questions about the firm’s capability and legal standing.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced that Infoquest Nigeria Limited was granted the contract for the completion of Section 2 of the highway.
The company reportedly secured a “No Objection” certificate worth N252.89 billion from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). This certificate, as defined by the Public Procurement Act of 2007, confirms that the procurement process followed legal provisions, permitting the project to move forward.
The section of the highway in question had previously been under the purview of Julius Berger Construction Company. However, the contract was revoked due to disagreements over cost adjustments and project timelines. Julius Berger attributed these challenges to inflation, rising energy costs, and unpaid invoices dating back to November 2023.
Despite the BPP’s assurance that the certificate of no objection met all required standards, Daily Trust discovered that Infoquest Nigeria Limited’s status on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) website is listed as inactive.
Under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, inactive companies are legally barred from executing contracts or conducting new business activities. The company has also failed to meet statutory obligations such as filing annual returns, further complicating its eligibility for the project.
A Daily Trust reporter who visited the listed address of Infoquest in Orile, Lagos, found no evidence of the company’s operations. Locals in the area confirmed that there was no office or activity related to the firm at the location. Additionally, the company’s minimal share capital of N100,000 and lack of a digital presence have fueled doubts about its ability to handle such a significant national project.
When contacted, the Ministry of Works denied that the contract was officially awarded, stating that the minister had only obtained a certificate for the project. However, attempts to clarify this position further were unsuccessful due to poor communication and unresponsive officials.
Meanwhile, the BPP Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, defended the agency’s decision, asserting that Infoquest had previously executed multi-billion-naira contracts with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and other ministries. He emphasized that the certification process was free from political interference.
