In response to the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the works minister, David Umahi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ignore his critics and grant more funding for the nation’s ongoing infrastructure projects.
During the official commissioning of the Deep Sea Port Access Road in Lagos on Thursday, Umahi made the plea.
He noted that foreign investors had endorsed the project, even describing it as undervalued.
“I want to assure you, sir, that international financiers have commended you for your efforts because they claim the project is even undervalued. I appreciate your support and give you my best wishes.
Don’t listen to people, sir. If you give us more money, Sir, we will complete these projects. “We will deliver,” said Umahi.
Following criticisms of the “ambitious” 700km Lagos-Calabar highway project’s cost and transparency, he made his comments.
Umahi addressed the president directly, defending the project’s valuation and highlighting the technical difficulties in its construction.
Tell me the kilometre-per-kilometer cost on this highway. When you compare a section of 10 km with a bit of 10 to 20 meters and another section with good soil, what can you quantify as the cost of a kilometer? “he said.
When people gather advice without any knowledge, “Your Excellency, I am a Fellow of the Society of Engineers, and I understand the figures, I understand this work.”
The minister also expressed confidence in the initial completion of the highway.
“I want to thank you for commissioning the first 30 kilometers, and I can reassure you that this first section will be finished by December.” Section 2 will soon be complete, and we will toll it as well. The contractor is very highly commended.
Read Dangote praises Tinubu’s reform initiatives in addition to “Your Leadership Has Reignited Hope.”
Don’t Listen to Critics, please.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development in his speech during the deep-sea port access road commissioning, rejecting the critics of the highway project.
I make an appeal to David (Umahi): “Don’t listen to those critics; they don’t understand what they’re talking about.” Toll it if they dislike the road or it’s too expensive, according to President Tinubu.
They can use Idumota if they dislike the road. We will continue to build the infrastructure required for economic growth.
Umahi also praised the completion of the 27-kilometer Deep Sea Port Access Road, a two-lane reinforced concrete road, in his speech.
The Deep Sea Port Access Road, a 27 km long, two-lane reinforced concrete access road, has been completed. This route is very crucial. He said that using this location will benefit the deep-sea port, making all the difficulties that we encountered with Apapa Port a thing of the past.
The minister gave presentations on other pending and finished road projects throughout the nation during the commissioning ceremony.
Important guests included Aliko Dangote, Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and others.
In honor of his contributions to infrastructure development, Africa’s richest man, Dangote, gave the name to the main road leading to the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.
The Deep Sea Port Access Road, one of eight major projects totaling 500 kilometers, including two in Borno State, will connect Nigeria to both Chad and Cameroon, according to Dangote during the ceremony.
Source: Channels TV
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