Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, criticized former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for allegedly misunderstanding figures in his analysis of the cost of the ongoing 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal road. Umahi defended the project, highlighting its economic benefits and its potential to connect the entire country. He described Atiku's comments as a "gross misrepresentation of facts and figures" aimed at misleading Nigerians.
Umahi emphasized the prudence, cost-effectiveness, and quality delivery of road projects under the President Tinubu administration, despite challenges such as the rising cost of construction materials. He pledged to provide a detailed breakdown of the coastal road project's costs to help Atiku understand the administration's approach.
The minister also addressed concerns about the award of contracts, stating that President Tinubu once questioned the cost of projects undertaken by the Ministry of Works. Umahi mentioned ongoing projects, including the rehabilitation of the Enugu – Port Harcourt dual carriageway, the 23-span flyover bridge at Eke-Obinagu Junction, and sections of the East-West road. He warned contractors to speed up their work or risk having portions of the project reassigned to other contractors.
