Minister of Works, David Umahi
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has vowed to step down from office if the ongoing Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road project fails any independent quality assessment, declaring his readiness to subject the work to rigorous testing.
Umahi made the statement on Wednesday while defending his ministry’s 2026 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly.
Lawmakers according to Channels TV report had raised concerns over the award of part of the road contract to a company some legislators described as little-known and previously linked to generator sales.
Leading the questioning, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) queried why the contract was withdrawn from an established construction firm and handed to another company whose reputation, he said, was questionable. The former Edo State governor argued that the firm was not widely recognised in road construction.
In his response, the minister brushed aside doubts about the contractor’s background, insisting that attention should be focused on performance and quality rather than public perception.
> “I’m just hearing about Maikano for the first time. Whether they are selling goats or cows, they are doing well. I am satisfied with the quality of work on the Abuja–Kaduna stretch, and I challenge you to an inspection. Bring the best of your concrete testers. If you test it and it fails, I will throw in the towel,” Umahi said.
He maintained that the choice between concrete and asphalt was not the main concern, stressing that effective supervision was more critical to long-term durability. According to him, most road failures linked to asphalt result from poor monitoring rather than the material itself.
Earlier in his presentation, Umahi criticised the funding arrangement for capital projects, describing the cash plan operated by the Federal Ministry of Finance as “anti-progressive” and harmful to project delivery.
While defending the ministry’s proposed ₦3.4 trillion budget, he argued that irregular and insufficient funding was slowing down the execution of major infrastructure projects nationwide.
The minister disclosed that more than 95 per cent of projects under the Federal Ministry of Works are currently ongoing, making steady capital releases essential for their timely completion.
The session, however, was not without drama, as heated exchanges and raised voices dominated parts of the proceedings.
Tension rose when Umahi asked a lawmaker to pause so he could properly follow the line of questioning. Some legislators took offence, prompting Senator Oshiomhole to caution the minister over his conduct.
Although calm was briefly restored, another confrontation erupted when the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North Central), protested after the committee chairman attempted to cut short his remarks.
The disagreement between the principal officer and the committee chairman intensified, and an attempt by Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) to mediate instead worsened the situation.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Umahi maintained his position, reiterating his confidence in the quality of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road project and his willingness to resign if it fails independent verification.
