Ignore Critics, We Need More Money For Projects – Umahi Urges President Tinubu

• Defends ‘ambitious’ 700km Lagos-Calabar highway project

Amid criticisms trailing the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway construction, the Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, says President Bola Tinubu must ignore critics and provide more funding to speedily deliver ongoing infrastructural projects nationwide

“Sir, don’t listen to people. Give us more money; we will deliver all these projects, sir. We will deliver,” Umahi said during the official commissioning of the Deep Sea Port Access Road in Lagos by Mr President.

The Minister’s plea follows criticism over the cost and transparency of the “ambitious” 700km Lagos-Calabar highway project, even as he noted that international financiers have endorsed the project, describing it as undervalued.

“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”, he said.

President Tinubu, Works Minister Umahi, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Aliko Dangote, on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Deep Sea Port Access Road commissioning in Lagos.

Engr Umahi defended the project’s valuation and highlighted the technical complexities involved in its construction, saying, “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 10 km that has a bit of 10 to 20 metres and you compare it to another section with good soil?

“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.”

Also expressing confidence in the timely delivery of the highway’s initial phase, the Minister said, “I want to thank you for commissioning the first 30 km, 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.”

The former Ebonyi State Governor also highlighted the completion of the 27 km by two-lane reinforced concrete Deep Sea Port Access Road.

According to him; “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.”

President Tinubu, on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during the official commissioning of the Deep Sea Port Access Road in Lagos.

In responding to the Minister’s comments, President Tinubu dismissed critics of the highway project and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development.

He further said, “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.

“If they don’t like the road, they can use Idumota. We will not stop building the needed infrastructure for economic development.”

The commissioning ceremony featured presentations by the Minister on other completed and ongoing road projects across the country.

Among dignitaries who attended the Deep-Sea Port commissioning were Aliko Dangote, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

Meanwhile, Africa’s richest man, Dangote, in an iconic gesture at the event,named the main road leading to the Dangote Refinery in Lagos after President Tinubu, “in recognition of his contributions to infrastructural development.”

At the ceremony, Alhaji Dangote announced 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 named road stretches through Epe–Ijebu-Ode and connects to the Sagamu–Benin Expressway, forming a crucial link for logistics and trade within the region.