The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has urged Bola Tinubu to ignore critics demanding accountability and provide more funding for the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway construction.
Umahi made the plea on Thursday during the official commissioning of the Deep Sea Port Access Road in Lagos.
He noted that international financiers had endorsed the project, even describing it as undervalued.
“I want to assure you, sir, that the international financiers have given you kudos because they say the project is even undervalued. I commend you very highly, and I am grateful for the support.
“Sir, don’t listen to people. Give us more money; we will deliver all these projects, sir. We will deliver,” Umahi stated.
His comments come following criticism over the cost and transparency of the “ambitious” 700km Lagos-Calabar highway project.
Addressing Tinubu directly, Umahi defended the project’s valuation and highlighted the opaque technical complexities involved in its construction.
“This highway… tell me the cost of a kilometre. What can you quantify as the cost of a kilometre when you have a section of 10km that has a bit of 10 to 20 metres and you compare it to another section with good soil?” he said.
“When people gather counsel without knowledge… Your Excellency, I am a Fellow of the Society of Engineers, and I understand the figures; I understand this work.”
The minister also expressed confidence in the timely delivery of the highway’s initial phase.
“I want to thank you for commissioning the first 30km, and I reassure you that this first section will be completed by December. We shall toll it, and Section 2 will also be close to completion. I commend the contractor very highly.”
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