In response to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, Minister of Works David Umahi has stated that the project is in the best interests of the nation, according to a report published by The Sun News on Sunday, March 16. While examining the Lagos roadway, Umahi denied claims of corruption and wastefulness, stating that those who are against the project are only angry because they were unable to complete a similar project during their administration.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The minister, The Sun report says, emphasized his personal connection with Obasanjo, stating, “Obasanjo is not only a former president, he is a father to me and my in-law. So, if a father suddenly says his son is corrupt, it is up to the son to say, ‘look, I’m not corrupt.’ And if a father insists that his son is corrupt, maybe he learnt it from his father.” He said Obasanjo simply was playing politics and unnecessarily bitter.
Umahi argued that the project followed due process and would bring immense benefits to the nation. He questioned why critics focused solely on this highway while neglecting other major road projects like the Sokoto-Badagry route, the Trans-Saharan highway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road.
Defending the cost, Umahi pointed out rising prices of materials, saying in 2015 cement was N815 per bag, compared to N9,500 it is today. He said diesel was ₦300 per litre but now N1,300. He also compared exchange rate of dollar at N300 then to N1,500 today and asked Obasanjo where corruption has come into the project.
He insisted the project was a legacy investment and that Nigerians support it, adding, “When someone is doing what you couldn’t do, it is natural to feel bad,” The Sun reports states.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
