Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has questioned the cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, saying the Minister of Works, David Umahi, should not “dance around” providing details about the project’s expenses.
In a viral video released on Friday, Makinde commented on the controversy surrounding the project, which was approved by President Bola Tinubu.
His remarks came days after a heated on-air exchange between Umahi and Arise TV anchor, Rufai Oseni, over the cost breakdown of the highway.
During the interview, Oseni had asked Umahi to state the cost of the project per kilometre, a question that appeared to irritate the minister.
Umahi dismissed the query, insisting that the cost per kilometre varied and could not be easily simplified. He also told the presenter to “keep quiet,” describing himself as a “professor in engineering.”
Reacting, Makinde defended Oseni’s question, stating that the minister owed Nigerians transparency on how public funds were being spent. He illustrated his point by citing examples from Oyo State road projects, where costs were clearly stated and justified.
“When we did the Oyo to Iseyin road, it was about ₦9.99 billion for roughly 35 kilometres; an average of ₦238 million per kilometre,” Makinde said. “For Iseyin to Ogbomoso, 76 kilometres cost about ₦43 billion, averaging ₦500 million per kilometre. That’s how to be accountable.”
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a 700-kilometre project spanning nine states with two northern spurs, was flagged off last year.
The first phase, covering 47.47 kilometres, is being constructed by Hitech Construction Company Limited using concrete pavement.