If Coastal Highway Project Is Corruption, I Learnt It From Obasanjo — Umahi

The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, on Saturday, urged former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop making inflammatory and baseless statements not befitting a statesman, as he challenged him to explain why he had described the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project as wasteful and corrupt.

Umahi made the declaration in Lagos in response to Obasanjo’s claims that the project was wasteful and corrupt. He explained that the former president, whom he considered both a mentor and political father, had previously visited him when he was the governor of Ebonyi State, and commended his transparency.

Umahi, however, pointed out that if Obasanjo, whom he viewed as a father figure, was now labeling the projects he was handling as minister as corrupt, it meant that he had learned corruption from Obasanjo during his time as his mentor.

The Minister also criticized Obasanjo’s comments, suggesting that the former president lacked the moral standing to make such statements. Umahi referenced projects like the Siemens Power project, Nitel privatization, and other deals under Obasanjo’s watch (1999-2007), which allegedly failed to achieve their intended outcomes.

Addressing Obasanjo’s criticisms, Umahi asked, “Is it wasteful that the project will be an evacuation corridor for Dangote Refinery, deep-sea ports, and free trade zones? Is it wasteful that it will connect all existing roads infrastructure together? Is it wasteful that it will include windmill energy? Is it wasteful that it will help the Apapa Ports and other ports in Calabar?”

He further questioned the claims of corruption, challenging Obasanjo to explain why he deemed the project corrupt. The Minister added, “When you say it is wasteful, you have not told us why it is wasteful, when you say it is corrupt, you haven’t told us why it is corrupt.”

Umahi pointed out that Obasanjo had praised his transparency during his time as governor of Ebonyi State, and said that it was unfair for Obasanjo to now label him or his projects as corrupt. He also dismissed the figures mentioned by Obasanjo, who had claimed the project would cost over $11 billion, saying they were disconnected from the current economic realities.

Umahi emphasized that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway was one of the largest road infrastructure projects, featuring concrete pavements instead of asphalt, which is prone to frequent damage and potholes.

He advised Obasanjo to focus on writing biographies and memoirs rather than criticizing infrastructure projects that he himself could not accomplish during his eight years as president.

“It’s not wasteful and corrupt. I have read on social media where people were saying that why is the government or the contractor not explaining, but as the Minister of Works, I am qualified to explain the project,” Umahi concluded.