Makinde knocks Umahi for dodging to answer question, then boasting of his authority and resorting to insults
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has thrown a jab at Works Minister Dave Umahi for being edgy about disclosing the true cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project unilaterally awarded by President Bola Tinubu who bypassed National Assembly (NASS) oversight and approval.
Some estimates put the cost at $11 billion, others quote $13 billion.
Makinde on Friday spoke at an event in a viral video in which he said there was no need for Umahi to be “dancing around” the cost when Oseni tried to hold him accountable.
He was reacting to a heated exchange that unfolded live on television between Umahi and Oseni on Tuesday.
Makinde said: “They asked a Minister how much is the coastal road, and then you [Umahi] are dancing around and going to say that no, the next kilometre is different from the next kilometre. Then what is the average cost?
“When we did the Oyo to Iseyin road then, it was about N9.99 billion, almost N10 billion. About 34 or 35 kilometres, average cost is about N238 million per kilometre.
“But when we did Iseyin to Ogbomoso, that was 76 kilometres, it was about N43 billion, average cost is about N500 million per kilometre. And we had two bridges, one over the Ogun River and then one at [the] Ogbomoso end.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is 700 kilometres long.
Oseni asked Umahi to analyse the cost of the project kilometre by kilometre.
The request did not sit well with Umahi, who declared himself “professor” of practice in the field of engineering, saying costs in kilometres are not the same and would be too complicated for Oseni to understand.
“These are elementary questions. And it makes no sense (sic). A process is ongoing, payment has been made, and you are saying, ‘how has this money been utilised? The money is meant for the project, and it will be paid according to the work done, Umahi said.
“When a certificate is generated, and it is approved through a process in the Ministry of Works, it will then be given to the funders, who will, in turn, check if the works were done.
“How can you be asking for cost of kilometre? The prices are different. The next kilometre is different from the next kilometre.”
When Oseni accused Umahi of reporting him to Tinubu for asking about the cost per kilometre of the project, Umahi flared up, saying:
“Keep quiet and stop saying what you don’t know. I’m a professor in this field. You don’t understand anything.
“You are too small for me to report the President. Stop saying I reported you to the President, you’re too small.
“I understand engineering very well. You have no knowledge of what you ask. You have no knowledge of what you’re asking.”
Oseni responded: “Minister, it’s alright, keep dignifying yourself, and let the world know who you truly are.”
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