Senator David Umahi, the Minister of Works has called on President Bola Tinubu to remain committed on national infrastructure development and to allocate more money to ongoing road projects, including the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway despite public criticism over its cost and transparency.
He made the appeal on Thursday during the official commissioning of the Deep Sea Port Access Road in Lagos, where he commended the president for his continued support and urged him to stay the course.
“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.
Moreover, his statement comes amid growing public scrutiny about the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the 700km coastal highway project, which has drawn both praise and criticism from various quarters.
While speaking to the president, Umahi defended the complexities and financial requirements of the initiative.
“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.”
He also gave assurances regarding the progress of the highway’s first segment.
“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.”
Meanwhile, in his reaction, Tinubu backed Umahi and reiterated his government’s resolve to push ahead with large-scale infrastructure development.
“I appeal to you, David (Umahi): don’t listen to those critics; they don’t know what they’re talking about. If they don’t like the road or it’s too expensive, toll it for them,” Tinubu said.
“If they don’t like the road, they can use Idumota. We will not stop building the needed infrastructure for economic development.”
The event also marked the unveiling of the completed 27km reinforced concrete Deep Sea Port Access Road, which Umahi said would serve as a critical link to ease congestion currently plaguing Apapa Port.
“Today, I present to you the completed 27km by two-lane reinforced concrete access road – the Deep Sea Port Access Road. This road is very important. It will serve the deep-sea port so that all the challenges we faced with Apapa Port will be a thing of the past, using this place,” he stated.
Also in attendance were prominent figures including Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat; and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
As part of the ceremony, Dangote announced that the main road leading to the Dangote Refinery had been named after President Tinubu in honor of his contributions to infrastructure development.
Dangote added that the Deep Sea Port Access Road is “one of eight major projects totalling 500km, including two in Borno State that will link Nigeria to both Chad and Cameroon.”
The newly commissioned road runs through Epe–Ijebu-Ode and connects to the Sagamu–Benin Expressway, enhancing regional trade and transport efficiency.
