Nigeria Makinde Criticizes Umahi for "Dancing Around" Coastal Highway Cost

The Digest:

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde called out Works Minister David Umahi for failing to provide a clear cost analysis of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, urging fiscal clarity instead of "dancing around" the figures.

Key Points:

• Governor Seyi Makinde criticized Minister David Umahi's explanation of the coastal road's cost.
• The criticism follows Umahi's heated exchange with Arise TV's Rufai Oseni.
• Makinde argued that an average cost per kilometre is a standard and necessary metric.
• He cited his own road projects in Oyo State as examples of transparent costing.
• Umahi had previously stated that providing a per-kilometre cost was an "elementary" and senseless request.
• The 700km coastal highway project spans nine states and is a major federal initiative.
• The minister declared himself a "professor" in engineering during the TV debate.

This public critique from a sitting governor underscores a growing demand for accountability and clear communication in the execution of high-value government projects.

Sources: The PUNCH