ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has fired back at Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his recent comments on the cost of federal road projects, saying he remains Makinde’s senior both in engineering and governance.
Umahi, who spoke while inspecting the Keffi section of the Abuja-Mararaba-Keffi Road on Saturday, alongside Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, said he would not remain silent when insulted by someone he described as “far my junior in engineering and governance.”
“I have a lot of respect for governors and the Governors Forum. But if a governor that is far my junior in engineering and governance insults me, I will talk back,” Umahi said.
“One thing I’m very good at is Mathematics. I’m an ‘A’ student in mathematics.”
Addressing the ongoing debate over road construction costs, the Minister said the project originally covered 43 kilometres but was increased to 45 kilometres to utilise the N73 billion allocated by the previous administration, Vanguard said.
Umahi explained that:. “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 using, the cost will be different.
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“It is being mischievous when you ask for the cost of a length of road, but you can divide N73 billion over 45 kilometres. That is the estimated cost, which includes contingency.”
Umahi further argued that final costs could only be determined after completion, noting: “When you have finished, you remove the vop, remove contingency you have not used. It is N40 or N70 billion, and probably you have done 50 kilometres. Then that is when you divide and have an average cost.”
Reacting directly to governor Makinde’s remarks, Umahi said: “I think he is an engineer, an electrician. They called it electrical electronics. This is road construction. Electrical electronics no reach there.
“I am his senior in governance and his senior in engineering practice. And so anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me and ask.
“I have respect for him as my friend and brother, but he should withdraw the word that I’m dancing around. I never danced around, and if he insists, he should come for debate.”
Umahi stressed that there was “no ambiguity in cost per kilometre,” describing Makinde’s approach as lacking knowledge.
“So also is when somebody that is dangling without knowledge goes asking AI what is the difference between cost per kilometre and average cost. I am happy that AI told him what I told him,” he added.
The Minister also boasted about his professional expertise, saying, “You can become a professor by reason of your practice, and I think God has made me one when it comes to practical field engineering.”
Addressing congestion along the Abuja-Mararaba-Keffi corridor, Umahi said the Federal Government would work with the Nasarawa State Government to tackle the problem through the removal of illegal structures.
He stated: “We have market trading on the road in a number of locations. If the governor will do the demolition to create additional carriageway, we will fix additional carriageway in those locations and there will be no more traffic in those locations.”