Gloria Robert, Abuja
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has vowed to resign if the ongoing Abuja–Kaduna–Kano road project is found to be substandard.
Umahi made the declaration on Wednesday while defending his ministry’s N3.4 trillion budget proposal before a joint session of the National Assembly.
Lawmakers had questioned why a section of the project was awarded to a lesser-known firm reportedly linked to generator sales.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) asked the minister to explain why the contract was withdrawn from an established construction company and handed to another firm without a similar track record in road construction.
Responding, Umahi dismissed concerns about pedigree, stressing that quality of work should be the priority.
“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,” he said.
The minister added that both asphalt and concrete are suitable for road construction, noting that proper supervision would guarantee the durability of asphalt roads.
