Coastal road: I'm an 'A' student, your senior in engineering, governance - Minister Umahi replies Gov Makinde
The Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, has reacted to comments made by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde over the ongoing controversy about the cost of road projects under the current administration.
Governor Makinde on Thursday berated Umahi for failing to reveal details in the costing of the project when he appeared on Arise TV.
Responding, Umahi expressed his disappointment while inspecting the Keffi section of the Abuja- Mararaba-Keffi road, along side the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Saturday, October 11.
“I have a lot of respect for governors and the Governors Forum but if a governor that is far my junior in engineering and governance insults me I will talk back.
One thing I’m very good at is mathematics. I’m an A student in mathematics. This controversy about cost per kilometer, I have told you that this project is about 43 kilometres but we have increased it to utilize the money given for the project by the last administration which was N73 billion, we have increased it to about 45 kilometers.
If we are doing surface tracing on the shoulder, the cost will be different, it we are using asphalt on the shoulder, the cost will be different, if we are using concrete as we are using, the cost will be different. It is being mischievous when you ask for the cost of a length of road but by the professorial information, you can ask for cost per kilometer could be estimated, could be divided to sections.
First, estimated cost, and estimated cost of this project, you can divide N73 billion over 45 kilometers, that is the estimated cost. This cost has the element of contingency and element of vop, they may not likely be used. When you have finished this project and of course, you can see that in this project, there are places you are using the existing median and there are places you will construct new median, will the cost be the same?
It is not possible.when you have finished, you removed the vop, you removed contingency, you have not used,at be it is N40 or N70 billion and probably you have done 50 kilometers, then that is when you divide and have an average cost.
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