David Umahi defends the ₦73bn Lagos-Calabar Highway project, calling criticism mischievous and technically uninformed

David Umahi has fired back at critics questioning the ₦73 billion cost of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, describing the public debate as mischievous and technically shallow.

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Speaking during an inspection of the Abuja–Keffi expressway on Saturday, the Minister of Works maintained that many of the criticisms lacked understanding of the engineering complexities behind major infrastructure projects.

“The controversy about cost per kilometre is being fuelled by mischief,” Umahi said.

“This project was initially 43 kilometres, but we’ve extended it to 45 kilometres using the same ₦73 billion approved by the last administration.

Costs vary depending on whether we use asphalt, concrete, or surface tracing. People must understand the technical realities.”

He clarified that project estimates include contingencies and Variation of Price (VoP) allowances that might not even be applied once construction is completed.

Umahi also addressed remarks reportedly made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who had raised concerns about the project cost.

While avoiding a direct confrontation, Umahi said the governor’s comments reflected limited technical understanding.

“When I heard my brother and friend, Governor Makinde, talk about this, I didn’t want to join issues,” he remarked. “He’s an engineer Elect-Elect, they call it but road construction, Elect-Elect no reach there.

I’m his senior in governance and engineering. If there’s anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me and ask.”

The Works Minister further ridiculed some of his critics for consulting artificial intelligence tools for explanations on cost calculations.

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

Reaffirming his credentials, Umahi described himself as a “professor by practice” in field engineering. “You can become a professor by reason of your practice.

God has made me one when it comes to field engineering, and you can’t take that from me,” he said confidently.

Away from the Lagos-Calabar debate, Umahi revealed that the Federal Government is partnering with the Nasarawa State Government to clear roadside markets along the Abuja–Keffi highway to ease traffic congestion.

“We have trading on the road in a number of locations,” he explained. “If the Governor of Nasarawa carries out the demolition to create space, we will immediately fix the additional carriageways. That will solve the gridlock problem there.”

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Umahi’s latest remarks underscore his determination to press ahead with the Lagos–Calabar Highway one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure projects despite mounting scrutiny from politicians and civil engineers.