The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has responded to remarks by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, regarding the cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, saying the governor’s comments reflected a misunderstanding of engineering processes.
Umahi spoke during an inspection of the Keffi section of the Abuja–Mararaba–Keffi Road, alongside the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule.
He said, “I have a lot of respect for governors and the Governors’ Forum. But if a governor who is far my junior in engineering and governance insults me, I will talk back. One thing I’m very good at is Mathematics. I’m an ‘A’ student in Mathematics.”
Addressing the controversy over the per-kilometre cost of the project, the minister explained that such figures could not be determined without considering design variations, scope, and materials.
“This controversy about cost per kilometre — I have told you that this project is about 43 kilometres, but we have increased it to utilise the money allocated for the project by the last administration, which was N73 billion. We have increased it to about 45 kilometres,” he said.
“If we are doing surface dressing on the shoulder, the cost will be different. If we are using asphalt on the shoulder, the cost will be different. If we are using concrete, as we are doing now, the cost will also be different,” he explained.
Umahi added, “It is being mischievous when you ask for the cost of a length of road without context. From professional information, you can only estimate the cost per kilometre and divide it into sections. First, it is an estimated cost, and the estimated cost of this project — you can divide N73 billion by 45 kilometres — that is the estimated cost. This cost includes elements of contingency and variation of price, which may not likely be used.”
He further said that final project costs could only be determined upon completion. “When the project is completed, you can see that there are places where we are using the existing median and others where we will construct new medians. Will the cost be the same? It is not possible,” he stated.
“When you have finished, you remove the variation of price, you remove contingencies that were not used. Whether it is N40 billion or N70 billion, and you have done 50 kilometres, that is when you divide and get an average cost. The average cost of a definitive and estimated project is a probable element.”
Referring directly to Governor Makinde, Umahi said he would not “join issues” but urged the governor to seek clarification instead of public criticism.
“When I heard that my brother and friend, Governor Makinde of Oyo State, said… I don’t want to join issues with him. I think he is an engineer, an electrical or electronic engineer. But this is road construction. Electrical electronics no reach there. I am his senior in governance and in engineering practice. So, anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me and ask. I will not join issues because I have respect for our governors,” he said.
“I have respect for him as my friend and brother, but he should withdraw the comment that I am ‘dancing around’. I never danced around. And if he insists, he should come for a debate, that is very important.”
The minister said part of his current inspection tour included addressing encroachments on federal roads by roadside traders, noting that such activities contributed to congestion. “During our inspection today with the Governor of Nasarawa State, if the governor will carry out the demolition to create an additional carriageway, we will fix it, and there will be no more traffic in those areas,” he added.
The dispute between the two public officials followed Umahi’s appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he declined to provide a specific per-kilometre cost for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road. His exchange with the programme’s anchor, Rufai Oseni, sparked a broader debate over transparency and accountability in the execution of major infrastructure projects.
