Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, has shared a revealing behind-the-scenes account of how strategic professional advice and high-level political intervention saved the state ₦3 billion during the construction of the iconic Tinapa Resort. Speaking in Abuja at the unveiling of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors’ national secretariat, now named “QS J. Segun Ajanlekoko House,” Duke detailed the financial hurdles that nearly derailed the ambitious project.
The former governor explained that the original quote from the construction firm stood at ₦30 billion, which his administration successfully negotiated down to ₦24 billion. However, the agreement hit a major snag six months later when the contractor halted work, insisting on returning to the original ₦30 billion price tag. It was at this critical juncture that Duke sought the expertise of J. Segun Ajanlekoko to conduct an independent cost assessment.
The independent valuation came back at ₦21 billion, providing the state with the necessary leverage to challenge the contractor’s demands. Armed with this new figure, Duke approached then-President Olusegun Obasanjo for assistance. The former President reportedly intervened by contacting the construction company’s leadership, issuing a firm warning regarding the firm’s outstanding payments from the federal government.
This pressure led the contractor to resume work at the revised cost, though a strict clause was added: any failure by the state to meet its payment schedule would trigger a reversion to the ₦30 billion quote. To prevent this, the Cross River State government partnered with United Bank for Africa to ensure all financial obligations were met promptly, effectively locking in the savings and preventing further cost escalations.
Reflecting on the experience, Duke advocated for a more central role for Quantity Surveyors in managing public funds. He suggested that every government agency should be required to obtain certified cost approvals before submitting their budgets to the National Assembly. This move, he argued, would significantly curb corruption and eliminate waste in the budgeting process, provided that professionals are held strictly accountable for their work.
The event also featured tributes from other notable figures, including former Bureau of Public Enterprises Director-General, Emeka Eze, who praised Ajanlekoko’s integrity in choosing public interest over personal gain. The ceremony highlighted the urgent need for skilled professionals to help bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure gap, with Ajanlekoko expressing hope that the new facility would inspire the next generation of surveyors to maintain the highest ethical standards in their practice.
