Umahi, while inspecting the Keffi section of the Abuja–Mararaba–Keffi Road yesterday alongside Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, responded sharply to Makinde’s criticism about the project’s per kilometre cost, insisting that the governor’s remarks were unfounded.

The minister, a former governor of Ebonyi State and engineer by training, stated that while he respects all governors, he would not remain silent when “a junior” in both governance and engineering questions his integrity.

He said: “I have a lot of respect for governors and the Governors’ Forum. But if a governor who 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.

He explained that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project spans about 45 kilometres — an increase from the initial 43 kilometres — to accommodate the ₦73 billion budget approved by the previous administration.

According to Umahi, the cost per kilometre cannot be fixed without context, as factors like terrain, design materials, and project variations affect pricing.

“It is mischievous to ask for a cost per kilometre without understanding what each section entails,” he argued. “We have contingency and variation of price elements in the budget that may not even be used. When the project is completed, that’s when you can fairly divide the total cost by the actual kilometres built to determine an average.”

Responding to Makinde’s earlier remarks that the minister was “dancing around” figures, Umahi said the Oyo governor should have sought clarification rather than make public insinuations.

“When I heard my brother, Governor Makinde, say I was dancing around, I decided to set the record straight. I think he’s an electrical engineer — but this is civil engineering, road construction. That’s not his field,” Umahi stated.

“I am his senior in governance and in engineering practice. If there’s anything he doesn’t understand, he can call me. I will explain. But he should withdraw that statement. And if he insists, he can come for a debate.”

Umahi also used the opportunity to address public concerns about road congestion and encroachment on federal roads, saying that the ministry was working with state governments to demolish roadside structures obstructing construction.

He said, “We have market trading on the road in a number of locations. During our inspection today with the Governor of Nasarawa State, if the governor will carry out the demolition to create an additional carriageway, we will fix it, and there will be no more traffic in those areas.”

The ongoing debate over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road began after Umahi appeared on Arise Television, where he was pressed to disclose the project’s per kilometre cost. His refusal to give a specific figure sparked public criticism and questions about transparency.

Since then, reactions have been mixed, with some Nigerians defending the ministry’s position, while others accuse the federal government of lack of accountability in handling one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.