By Adesina Quadri Ademola
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has taken a swipe at Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his recent comments on the cost of federal road projects, describing the governor’s remarks as “ignorant, insulting, and mischievous.”
Speaking on Saturday during an inspection of the Keffi section of the Abuja–Mararaba–Keffi dual carriageway in Nasarawa State, Umahi, who was accompanied by Governor Abdullahi Sule, dismissed Makinde’s criticisms as baseless and reflective of a poor grasp of engineering realities.
The Oyo governor had questioned the per-kilometre cost of ongoing federal road projects, a claim Umahi said betrayed “a lack of understanding” of technical computations involved in road construction.
“I have great respect for governors and the Governors’ Forum,” Umahi said pointedly. “But if a governor who is far my junior in engineering and governance insults me, I will respond. One thing I’m very good at is mathematics — I was an A student in mathematics.”
Explaining the figures under contention, Umahi noted that the Abuja–Mararaba–Keffi project, originally designed at 43 kilometres, was later extended to 45 kilometres to accommodate the ₦73 billion released by the previous administration.
He stressed that construction costs cannot be generalised, as they depend on the design, materials, and scope of each project.
“If we are doing surface tracing on the shoulder, the cost will differ. If we use asphalt or concrete, as we are doing now, the cost will change accordingly,” the minister explained.
He further described as “mischievous” any attempt to simplify complex engineering computations into uniform figures.
“When you divide ₦73 billion by 45 kilometres, what you get is an estimated cost,” Umahi said. “This includes contingencies and variation of prices which may never even be used. Only upon completion can one determine the actual average cost.”
Taking a direct swipe at Makinde, Umahi remarked: “I heard what my brother and friend, the Governor of Oyo State, said. I didn’t want to join issues, but I must correct him. He is an electrical/electronics engineer. This is civil engineering — road construction. Electrical electronics no reach there.”
Declaring his seniority both “in governance and in engineering practice,” Umahi advised Makinde to seek clarification rather than make misleading public statements.
“Anything he doesn’t understand, he should call and ask. I respect him as a brother, but he should withdraw that comment that I am ‘dancing around’. If he insists, let’s have a public debate. I am ready — that is very important.”
The minister defended his reputation, describing himself as a “professor of practical engineering,” and maintained that his ministry’s figures are transparent and justifiable.
“There is no ambiguity in cost per kilometre. There’s estimated cost, which may include variations, and average cost, which is definitive. Even AI told him exactly what I told him,” he quipped.
Turning to the issue of traffic congestion on the Abuja–Mararaba–Keffi corridor, Umahi announced plans for a joint effort between the Federal and Nasarawa State Governments to clear illegal roadside trading and structures hindering free movement.
“We have market trading on the road in a number of locations,” he noted. “If the state government undertakes demolition to create additional carriageways, the Federal Government will immediately expand those lanes. Once that is done, traffic will ease completely.”
