Minister of Works David Umahi has urged President Bola Tinubu to remain focused on infrastructure development and dismiss critics questioning the costs and strategy behind the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other major projects.
Speaking on Thursday during the commissioning of the newly completed Deep Sea Port Access Road in Lagos, Umahi passionately advocated for increased financial backing to accelerate project delivery.
“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,” Umahi said, addressing the president directly.
He added: “Sir, don’t listen to people. Give us more money; we will deliver all these projects, sir. We will deliver.”
His comments come amid growing public debate surrounding the scale and expenditure of the 700km coastal highway, one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives.
Defending the project against allegations of inflated costs, the minister explained the technical factors influencing pricing.
“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 asked.
“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.”
Umahi also reassured the government of steady progress, noting that the first section of the Lagos-Calabar route would be finished by year’s end.
“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.”
President Tinubu, who was also present at the event, stood by his minister and dismissed detractors of the project.
“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 in response.
“If they don’t like the road, they can use Idumota. We will not stop building the needed infrastructure for economic development.”
As part of the day’s highlights, Umahi unveiled the completed 27km reinforced concrete road connecting to the deep-sea port, calling it a game-changer for logistics in the region.
“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.
Top government officials, stakeholders, and business leaders were in attendance, including Aliko Dangote, Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu.
In a symbolic gesture, Dangote announced the naming of the access road leading to his refinery after President Tinubu as a tribute to his support for infrastructure.
He also revealed that the Deep Sea Port Access Road is among eight key infrastructure projects totaling 500km, including two in Borno State that aim to connect Nigeria to Chad and Cameroon.
Stretching through Epe–Ijebu-Ode and linking to the Sagamu–Benin Expressway, the newly commissioned road is expected to boost trade, reduce congestion, and improve transport efficiency along Nigeria’s southern corridor.
