Speaking while giving a detailed breakdown of the figures while addressing newsmen in a recent interview, Umahi disclosed that the first section of the 700km coastal road, spanning 47.47 kilometers, would cost ₦1.067 trillion and feature six lanes, flyovers, underpasses, and extensive shore protection.
“A standard coastal road is going for N7.5billion per kilometer of standard highway,” Umahi said.
“However, this N7.5 billion includes all the fillings, shore protections, solar lighting throughout, and planting of trees.”
According to the minister, the ₦7.5 billion per kilometer figure is derived from dividing the total cost of ₦1.067 trillion for the 47.47-kilometer stretch by the number of lanes and converting it to the standard two-lane measurement used for federal highways.
Umahi said the figure covers not only the construction cost but also shoreline defenses, solar-powered street lighting, concrete retaining walls, and landscaping.
He claimed that the ministry had faced challenging terrain along the route, encountering deep pits up to 20 meters which had to be excavated and refilled in stages before concrete laying could commence.
“You encounter a pit of up to 20 meters and then this pit we removed and then refilled with lumps in levels and stages and then we are passing through there now. At kilometer 32, we also have encountered such,” he said.
The minister further compared the coastal highway project to earlier asphalt-based road projects awarded by previous administrations.
He argued that the current use of reinforced concrete makes the new road longer-lasting and more cost-effective.
Umahi added that the project had been reviewed and approved by Dutch and other international financial institutions, which, according to him, described it as “undervalued.”
“The Dutch bank that led the other international banks to review the cost of the project said it was undervalued. And when it was time to fund the 70% loan component, the project was oversubscribed by 100 million US dollars,” he stated.
The Works Minister, challenged critics of the project to “be objective” and “tell the public the truth,” stressing that both he and President Bola Tinubu were committed to transparency.
“If the financial institutions can give us this credit, we are ready to face anybody. But when you are criticising us, be very objective and tell the public the truth,” Umahi said.
Sahara reporters
“A standard coastal road is going for N7.5billion per kilometer of standard highway,” Umahi said.
“However, this N7.5 billion includes all the fillings, shore protections, solar lighting throughout, and planting of trees.”
According to the minister, the ₦7.5 billion per kilometer figure is derived from dividing the total cost of ₦1.067 trillion for the 47.47-kilometer stretch by the number of lanes and converting it to the standard two-lane measurement used for federal highways.
Umahi said the figure covers not only the construction cost but also shoreline defenses, solar-powered street lighting, concrete retaining walls, and landscaping.
He claimed that the ministry had faced challenging terrain along the route, encountering deep pits up to 20 meters which had to be excavated and refilled in stages before concrete laying could commence.
“You encounter a pit of up to 20 meters and then this pit we removed and then refilled with lumps in levels and stages and then we are passing through there now. At kilometer 32, we also have encountered such,” he said.
The minister further compared the coastal highway project to earlier asphalt-based road projects awarded by previous administrations.
He argued that the current use of reinforced concrete makes the new road longer-lasting and more cost-effective.
Umahi added that the project had been reviewed and approved by Dutch and other international financial institutions, which, according to him, described it as “undervalued.”
“The Dutch bank that led the other international banks to review the cost of the project said it was undervalued. And when it was time to fund the 70% loan component, the project was oversubscribed by 100 million US dollars,” he stated.
The Works Minister, challenged critics of the project to “be objective” and “tell the public the truth,” stressing that both he and President Bola Tinubu were committed to transparency.
“If the financial institutions can give us this credit, we are ready to face anybody. But when you are criticising us, be very objective and tell the public the truth,” Umahi said.
Sahara reporters
The only processor in Nigeria that got his professorship by experience, you're doing well sir.
ReplyDeleteYou were asked same question on national TV but you dey beat around the Bush to mention this figure... 1 trillion
ReplyDelete7.5 billion per kilometres?ke? Na Angels wan come construct am?
Oga break everything down... one solar street light 150 watt is #52000 and if you r buying directly from China they might give you half the price.... so
Break it down and publish it and let us verify all before i go trust una.... the govt is about to borrow $ 1 trillion for you guys again( that just made the news)
Oga
No be only to dey carry gucci gucci PA around...
All the 'shakaye' after Rufai Oseni fired him with construction overcosting on Arise tv 🤪😑
ReplyDeleteThe arise TV Reporter was rude and his manner of approach belittles the questions he asked......most journalists have condemned his actions...
ReplyDeleteThe minister answered properly to this reporter cos the questions were asked properly.......
When you do a dirty job you dont need to roll in the mud with the pigs......
I’m sure it includes buffets for every traveler
ReplyDeleteThat question really pain our professor in practice wella e just dey rant since
ReplyDeleteRufai oseni is still pained that his preferred candidate PO lost and there’s no other explanation to his outbursts against APC members. He doesn’t do this his stupid gra gra with others apart from APC. How can a journalist behave this way? Very ill mannered, crass and disrespectful.
ReplyDeleteNa u go tire
DeleteOga, the place they asked for "shalaye", you refused but you are still doing the same "shalayeing" again.
ReplyDeleteRufai was asking genuine questions but he added personal emotions to it. He became a rude quoting "you reported me to President Tinubu and here you are again" all that was not necessary.
Ask them direct question, remove emotions from it. He is however bold with the kind of questions he ask them.