AEC Unity Network Denies Links To AEC-Geofocus Over Abuja-Lagos Infrastructure Projects.
AEC Unity Network Limited, the officially recognised concessionaire for the ambitious Abuja-Lagos Super Highway and High-Speed Train projects, has vehemently denied any association with the AEC-Geofocus Consortium (Geofocus), dismissing claims made by the latter regarding involvement in these key infrastructure initiatives.
The company clarified in a statement released on Sunday that Geofocus has no role whatsoever in the planning, financing, construction, or operation of the 470-kilometer routes, which are integral to President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s national infrastructure.
AEC Unity Network, confirmed as the sole concessionaire by the Federal Government of Nigeria, has secured approvals from pivotal bodies including the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). The statement was a direct response to media reports attributing statements to Engineer Mutiu Yinka Idris, who claimed to be the Director of Operations for AEC-Geofocus.
In these reports, Idris had boasted that AEC-Geofocus was leading the charge on the project, with a financial backing of $16 billion from Middle Eastern investors, supplemented by interest from European financial institutions and the World Bank. He had further claimed that the project’s financial structure would reduce government spending, protect public funds, and manage cost overruns through an effective risk-sharing model, with a grand project launch scheduled before February 2025.
However, AEC Unity Network sharply refuted these claims, stating, “We emphatically state that AEC Unity Network Limited has no relationship whatsoever with AEC-Geofocus Consortium or Geofocus. Any claims made by Geofocus regarding involvement in the projects are ‘spurious and false.'”
The company expressed its shock at AEC-Geofocus’s sudden claim to the project, emphasizing that these assertions were not only misleading but potentially fraudulent, aimed at confusing stakeholders and the public. “These fraudulent claims are completely at variance with our proposed infrastructure plans and are intended to confuse and defraud unsuspecting stakeholders,” the statement further noted.
AEC Unity Network warned investors and the public to ignore any media advertisements or reports from Geofocus, labeling them as unauthorized and deceptive. The company also highlighted that their project is still in the planning phase and no other developments are authorized on the same corridor by any other entity.
To safeguard against misinformation and potential scams, AEC Unity Network urged both local and foreign investors to authenticate project details exclusively through its official channels, explicitly advising against engagement with Geofocus on matters related to the Abuja-Lagos Super Highway and High-Speed Train projects.
This infrastructure endeavour, pivotal for improving transport efficiency and stimulating economic growth, is part of a broader initiative to connect Nigeria’s major cities with a direct expressway and rail line. AEC Unity Network has reaffirmed its dedication to transparency and professionalism, encouraging the public to seek accurate project information solely via its official avenues.
