Minister of Works, David Umahi has responded to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s criticism of the cost per kilometre of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, saying the governor misunderstood the technical and financial structure behind the project
Speaking on Saturday during an inspection of the Keffi Bridge and Nasarawa–Toto Road projects with Governor Abdullahi Sule, Umahi maintained that the highway’s cost was determined using globally accepted engineering standards and should not be reduced to what he called “political soundbites.”
Governor Makinde in a now viral video had questioned the minister’s handling of the project’s figures, accusing him of “dancing around the cost.”
Makinde argued that the explanation offered by the Works Ministry was unclear, insisting that payments for the highway should be transparent and tied strictly to completed work.
In his response, Umahi described Makinde as “a brother and friend” but cautioned him against making public remarks without full understanding of the technical details.
“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,” Umahi said. “He is an engineer, but I am an electrical engineer — and this road construction matter, ‘elect-elect no reach there’.”
The minister added, “I’m his senior both in governance and in engineering practice. So, anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me and ask. I have great respect for him, but he should withdraw the statement that I’m dancing around. If he insists, he should come for a debate — it’s very important.”
Clarifying further, Umahi explained that there was a clear difference between “estimated cost” and “average cost” per kilometre. “The estimated cost includes contingencies and variation of price that may not eventually be used. When the project is completed and you remove those elements, what remains is the actual cost,” he said.
Umahi also mocked critics who sought explanations from Artificial Intelligence on the difference between both terms, saying AI’s answer aligned with his. “When somebody who is dangling without knowledge goes to ask AI what the difference is between cost per kilometre and average cost, I’m happy that AI told him exactly what I said,” he remarked.
He concluded by stressing his long-standing practical experience in engineering, adding that such experience qualifies him as an expert in the field. “I’m happy that the NUC’s position on who is a professor supports me. You can become a professor through practical experience — and I believe God has made me one when it comes to field engineering,” Umahi said.
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