Umahi fires back at critics over road cost controversy 

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has hit back at critics questioning the cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, dismissing the ongoing debate as mischievous and technically uninformed.

During an inspection of the Abuja-Keffi expressway project on Saturday, Umahi said the Federal Government is partnering with the Nasarawa State Government to clear roadside markets causing traffic gridlocks along the highway, The Nation disclosed.

He assured motorists that additional carriageways will be constructed once the areas are freed.

“We have market trading on the road in a number of locations. Our inspection today is with the Governor of Nasarawa State. If the Governor does the demolition to create additional carriageway, we will fix it immediately. That will solve the traffic problem there,” Umahi stated.

The Minister, addressing public concerns about the ₦73 billion project cost, of the Lagos-Calabar Highway said the figures are often taken out of context, noting that different construction materials and techniques naturally attract different costs.

“This controversy about cost per kilometer is being fueled by mischief. This project was 43 kilometers, but we’ve extended it to 45 kilometers using the same ₦73 billion approved by the last administration.

“If we’re using asphalt, the cost differs from concrete. If we’re doing surface tracing, it differs too. People must understand the technical realities,” he explained.

Umahi clarified that project estimates include contingencies and Variation of Price (VoP) components, which may not even be used by the end of the project.

Responding to remarks reportedly made by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on project costs, saying he would not “join issues” but urged the governor to seek proper guidance.

“When I heard my brother and friend, Governor Makinde, talk about this, I didn’t want to join issues. I think he is an engineer — Elect-Elect, they call it. But road construction, Elect-Elect no reach there,” Umahi said pointedly.

“I’m his senior in governance and engineering. So, if there’s anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me and ask. I respect him, but he should withdraw the statement that I’m dancing around. If he insists, let’s have a debate.”

The Works Minister further mocked some of his critics who resorted to artificial intelligence platforms for explanations on cost analysis.

“When someone without knowledge goes to ask AI about the difference between cost per kilometer and average cost, I’m happy AI told him exactly what I said,” he quipped.

Umahi reaffirmed his expertise, describing himself as a “professor by practice” in field engineering.

“You can become a professor by reason of your practice. I think God has made me one when it comes to field engineering and you can’t take that from me,” he said confidently.