Makinde Calls Out Umahi Over Coastal Highway Cost Analysis!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has publicly challenged the Federal Government and Works Minister David Umahi over the lack of clarity in the costing of the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway. He accused Umahi of evading questions about the average cost per kilometre of the controversial infrastructure project. [1

What Makinde Said

• At a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Ibadan on Thursday, Governor Makinde criticized the minister’s refusal to provide a consistent cost figure, questioning:
  “Asked a minister how much is the coastal road and then you’re (the minister) dancing around going to say next kilometre is different from next kilometre? Then what is the average cost?” [1]
• He contrasted this opacity with the more straightforward manner in which his administration reports road projects, citing examples from state infrastructure where total cost and length are disclosed plainly. [1]

Background & Dispute Over Costs

• Minister Umahi has previously defended the project’s costing model, stating that each kilometre of the highway is being constructed at around ₦4 billion, dismissing higher estimates such as ₦8 billion per km as exaggerated. [2]
• He has also argued that coastal areas differ in terrain, making a flat average cost per kilometre technically inaccurate. [1]
• In one clarification, Umahi revised upward, stating that the cost per km is ₦4.329 billion rather than earlier lower figures. [3]

Why It Matters

• The coastal highway is a flagship policy of the Tinubu administration, projected to span 700 km and estimated to cost ₦2.8 trillion under certain cost scenarios. [4]
• Discrepancies in cost estimates raise concerns about transparency, procurement integrity, and potential overpricing.
• For states like Oyo, and other stakeholders, clarity on funding, cost, and execution is essential for accountability and trust in federal infrastructure projects.

Citations:

1. Peoples Gazette Nigeria: gazettengr.com/tinubus-govt-clueless-about-costs-of-lagos-calabar-coastal-road-per-kilometre-makinde/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Independent Newspaper Nigeria: independent.ng/a-kilometre-of-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway-costs-n4bn-umahi/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Vanguard News: www.vanguardngr.com/2024/04/umahi-clarifies-issues-around-lagos-calabar-coastal-highway/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. Independent Newspaper Nigeria: independent.ng/lagos-calabar-coastal-highway-will-cost-n2-8trn-umahi-replies-atiku/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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