Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has fired back at Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over recent comments concerning the cost of federal road projects, describing the governor’s remarks as “insulting” and “mischievous.”
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Umahi spoke on Saturday while inspecting the Keffi section of the Abuja–Mararaba–Keffi road in Nasarawa State, accompanied by Governor Abdullahi Sule.
The minister expressed displeasure at Makinde’s criticism of the cost per kilometre of ongoing federal road projects, insisting that his ministry has been transparent and technically accurate in its computations.
“I have a lot of respect for governors and the Governors’ Forum,” Umahi said. “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 cost per kilometre, Umahi clarified that the ongoing project, initially pegged at 43 kilometres, was extended to 45 kilometres to accommodate the ₦73 billion released by the previous administration.
He explained that construction costs vary based on materials and methods used.
“If we are doing surface tracing 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 be different,” he said.
Umahi described as “mischievous” any attempt to generalise the cost of roads without considering design variations, site conditions, and project scope.
“When you divide ₦73 billion by 45 kilometres, you get an estimated cost,” he explained. “This cost includes contingencies and variations of price, which may not even be used. Only when the project is completed can you determine the actual average cost.”
He further stated that road construction projects differ by sections, depending on whether medians are reused or newly constructed. “It is not possible for all sections to cost the same,” he added.
Reacting directly to Governor Makinde’s earlier remarks, Umahi said:
“When I heard what my brother and friend, the Governor of Oyo State, said, I didn’t want to join issues. I think he’s an engineer — an electrical/electronics engineer. But this is road construction. Electrical electronics no reach there.
“I am his senior in governance and in engineering practice. Anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me and ask. I respect him as a friend and brother, but he should withdraw the word that I am ‘dancing around.’ I never danced around. If he insists, he should come for a debate — that is very important.”
Umahi went further to defend his professional reputation, saying his practical experience qualifies him as a “professor” of field engineering.
“There is no ambiguity in cost per kilometre,” he said. “Cost per kilometre can be divided into estimated cost, which has elements of variation, and average cost, which is definitive. I am happy that AI told him exactly what I told him.”
On the persistent traffic gridlock along the Abuja–Mararaba–Keffi highway, Umahi said the Federal Government would collaborate with the Nasarawa State Government to remove roadside trading and illegal structures obstructing the corridor.
“We have market trading on the road in a number of locations,” he noted. “If the governor undertakes demolition to create additional carriageways, we will immediately construct new lanes in those areas. Once that is done, there will be no more traffic in those locations.”
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