Minister of Works, David Umahi, has fired back at Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the latter’s remarks questioning the cost per kilometre of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing the comment as “misguided” and demanding a retraction.
Speaking during an inspection of the Keffi Bridge and the Nasarawa–Toto Road projects on Saturday, Umahi maintained that the Oyo governor misunderstood the technical details behind the project’s cost evaluation.
“I heard that my brother and friend, Governor Makinde, said something about the cost per kilometre. I don’t want to join issues with him, but I am his senior both in governance and in engineering practice,” the former Ebonyi governor said.
“Anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me to clarify. I have great respect for him, but he should withdraw the statement that I’m dancing around. I never danced around anything.”
Umahi was reacting to a viral video in which Makinde questioned why the Works Minister appeared to be “dancing around” figures regarding the multi-billion-naira coastal highway, one of President Bola Tinubu’s flagship infrastructure projects.
Defending the project, Umahi explained that the cost per kilometre was computed based on international engineering standards, stressing that it should not be reduced to “political soundbites.”
He further clarified the difference between estimated cost and average cost, noting that the former includes variables such as contingencies and price variations that may not ultimately be utilised.
“When the project is completed and unused contingencies are removed, that gives you the actual cost,” he said.
The minister also took a jab at critics who sought explanations from Artificial Intelligence tools, saying their findings confirmed his position.
“When someone lacking technical understanding goes to ask AI about the difference between estimated and average cost, I’m glad the AI told him exactly what I said,” Umahi quipped.
Umahi concluded by asserting his authority in the field, declaring that his years of practical experience in engineering had earned him professional distinction.
“By the grace of God, I’m already a professor in the field — not by title, but by practice,” he added.
