The Minister of Works, David Umahi, clashed with an Arise Television presenter on Tuesday during a live interview after telling the anchor, “Let me educate you,” while defending the Federal Government’s road infrastructure projects.
The exchange occurred during a discussion on the administration’s ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects, with questions raised about their execution, funding and impact on Nigerians.
Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, defended the government’s approach to road development, insisting that the projects were being handled according to established engineering standards.
“Let me educate you, Ojy Okpe. The coastal highway is not flooded and will never get flooded,” Umahi said.
The minister challenged aspects of the presenter’s questions, arguing that a proper understanding of road construction required technical knowledge and consideration of the conditions under which projects were executed.
“The houses were built below the flood level. When we did our study, we found that we needed to raise the coastal highway above the flood level and that is what happened,” he said.
The discussion became tense as both parties exchanged views on the government’s infrastructure performance and the challenges associated with delivering quality roads across the country.
“Before the construction of the coastal highway, was there flooding within that area? The answer is yes. The coastal highway has nothing to do with flooding,” he added.
Umahi has repeatedly defended the Federal Government’s infrastructure agenda, maintaining that ongoing projects are aimed at improving transportation, supporting economic activities and connecting communities.
The interview highlighted the continuing public debate over the quality, cost and pace of road projects under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
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