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OPINION: Why President Tinubu Should Sack Umahi As Minister

Published

1 year ago

November 6, 2024

Editor

By Edwin Chukwudi

Former governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi now minister of works under president Bola Tinubu is seen by many as one of the few performing Ministers in the administration. Therefore, it was not surprising to many that he survived the recent cabinet reshuffle. However, for professional engineers, Umahi represents a poor showing as a Minister.

Umahi who was appointed based on his apparent antecedents in office as Ebonyi state governor is regarded by the discerning mind and professional engineer as a product of media hype and packaging. He was touted as having built concrete roads and infrastructure in Ebonyi state. But the reality which has been hidden from most Nigerians is that all the concrete roads built by him in Ebonyi state failed completely.

The concrete roads were riddled with potholes and immediate crack which caused land/sand slides at the edges of all the roads. In many parts of the state the roads became unmotorable, the incumbent governor had award fresh contracts to cover that failed concrete roads with asphalt. The question then is, if Umahi is fully aware that the concrete roads idea was a colossal failure in Ebonyi state why then is he insisting on the introduction of concrete roads across the entire country?

Another white elephant in Ebonyi state which gave Umahi so much national praise is Ebonyi state airport which he built. It is interesting to note that till date , the Ebonyi state airport is yet to receive certification from FAAN and NCAA due to poorly executed civil works. Before the first plane landed on the airport, the concrete runway Tarmac was already cracking. These cracks were hastily covered with a layer of asphalt in order to hide it from the public. This was a joke, as Umahi failed to appreciate the basic engineering principle that asphalt should only be put on a solid base and not on a cracked surface. Umahi failed to realize that asphalt is more flexible and can handle temperature changes better. Such flexibility helps asphalt to resist cracks, particularly in areas with fluctuating temperatures. Also, since runways are critical infrastructure, they need resurfacing to maintain safety and smoothness.

Asphalt runway can easily be resurfaced by adding new layers without having to completely tear up the old surface, thereby making maintenance more efficient and cost effective. Such quick repairability is essential for safety. Asphalt also provide smoother surface for takeoff and landing. This smoothness reduces tear and wear on the plane”s landing gear and increases safety by providing better friction between tyres and the runway, especially under wet conditions. Unfortunately, Umahi chose to use concrete for the runway and endanger Nigerian lives, as concrete runway are preferably used in countries with winter and extreme temperature conditions.

Umahi”s unprofessional decisions in Ebonyi state are now being replicated across the country under his leadership as minister of works. This has impacted negatively on the nation”s economy since infrastructure is at the base of every thriving economy.

For instance, it is obvious that most production, industrial and import/export facilities are concentrated in South, while other end agricultural production is predominantly in the North. Hence, lack of access to good road infrastructure will inevitably bring the economy to a standstill. The previous administration under Babatunde Fashola organized for the repairs of critical roads with firm contracts with reputable contractors. But Umahi simply revoked these contracts arrangements, and also openly disrespected contractors who have been working in Nigeria for decades.

He exhibited dictatorial tendencies that he was known for as governor of Ebonyi state, threatening to throw them out if they refused to obey his directives which lacked inputs from them(contractors).

He introduced policies such as suspension of VOP, rescoping existing contracts and refusing to adapt the contract prices despite the huge devaluation of the Naira. He introduced compulsory concrete pavements in already existing contracts, and outright cancellation of contracts without regards to provisions of the contract and non performance of Federal Ministry of Works as regards payments for certificates of jobs completed as well as delay in release of payments.

The minister of works is reportedly forcing all contractors to switch from their previous administration contracts by using concrete. This is not minding that the contractors do not have the proper equipment, and no proper designs presented. These policies by Umahi are delaying delivery of roads, especially in the last one year. Many believe that the minister is deploying such harsh tactics in order to drop established contractors with the ministry and replace them with his cronies.

The roads policy of Umahi is very questionable. He does not appear to be given President Tinubu the right advise on policy direction. His proposal for the execution of the Calabar- Lagos/Badagry-Sokoto road is ill timed. While this road might be needed in a long term policy, it is certainly not a priority now compared to the need to fix critical roads like Warri to Lokoja, the super important Abuja to Kano road, especially as the axis of Abuja to Kaduna has become a travellers nightmare. Instead of implementing traditional repairs and upgrade of existing infrastructure, Umahi is more interested in executing his diabolical concrete roads idea at the Federal level. In about five years down the line such reckless policy will open the country to potentially the biggest roads failure in Nigeria”s history.

The style of Umahi is to gamble with tax payers money by exclusively awarding these humongous contracts to the big Oligarchs companies on a paddy paddy basis, and bypass requisite bid tendering and not complying with the Procurement Act. Although, Dangote cement company has been consistent and efficient in executing the concrete roads projects, but that cannot be said of others.

These unwholesome policies of the minister of works is already affecting the economy in very bad manner. It has degraded the transport and logistics business, caused increases in transportation costs. Loss on transit time of goods, repair costs etc. The negative impact on the Nigerian economy and on the Naira cannot be over emphasized. Indeed, the short, medium and long term implications of these bad roads are inestimable.

It also has serious implications on foreign investments, as foreign contractors operating in Nigeria will have to have a rethink about equipment and capital importation. Most especially, as Umahi does not respect signed agreements and contracts of his predecessor. How is it possible for contractors to be buying new equipment with huge financial implications intermittently and based on changing government policies?

One of the greatest drawbacks of Umahi”s policies is his contravention of ECOWAS road rules. The minister of works is authorizing the importation of cheap Trucks from China that are well over the road weight limit recommended by ECOWAS. With such Trucks plying the concrete roads it would be matter of time before the roads will fail woefully.

With the present economic situation this is not the time to further compound the challenges faced by the President Tinubu administration with avoidable poor road policies. It is equally not the time to compensate a former governor known for his dictatorial tendencies and failed roads and airport projects with an important ministry like that of works.

It is time for President Tinubu to sack Umahi, or redeploy him to a less visible ministry. A stitch in time saves nine.

Chukwudi, a Lagos based trained civil engineer. He can be reached on echukwudi80@gmail.com

Views expressed in the above article are strictly of the writer and not of Info Daily Media.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria

Published

11 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should consider revoking the working license of South African owned companies such as MTN and DSTV.

He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility against its citizens.

“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.

He argued that while some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over employment opportunities created by major South African companies operating in the country, including MTN and DSTV.

“When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.

“We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” Oshiomhole added.

DAILY POST reports that several Nigerians in South Africa have reportedly been attacked, and their businesses destroyed, in ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

News

IGP Orders Officers Display Name Tag On Uniform, Gives Update On State Police

Published

11 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Tunji Disu, has ordered all police personnel to always have their name tags on their uniforms for easy identification.

Disu disclosed that only police personnel who are undercover are exempted from displaying their name tags.

Speaking on Tuesday, Disu said: “All police officers should have their name tags. All of us on the high table have our names apart from the undercover among us so if you look at all the Commissioners of Police we have our name tags, so it’s not our standard.

News

Court Orders SERAP To Pay DSS Operatives N100m For Defamation

Published

16 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has ordered a non-governmental organization, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, to pay N100 million as damaged to two operatives of the Department of the State Services, DSS, for unjustly defaming them in some publications.

The court also ordered SERAP to tender public apologies to the defamed officers,
Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, in two national newspapers, two television stations and its website.

Besides, the organization was also ordered to pay the two operatives N1 million as cost of litigation and 10 percent post-judgment interest annually on the judgment sum until it’s fully liquidated.

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory gave the order on Tuesday while delivering judgment in a N5.5 billion defamation suit instituted against SERAP by the DSS operatives.

The judge found SERAP liable for unjustly defaming the two DSS operatives with allegations that they unlawfully invaded its Abuja office, harassed and intimidated its staff, in September 2024.

In the offending publication on its website and Twitter handle, SERAP alleged that the two operatives unlawfully invaded and occupied its office with sinister motives.

The judge held that the publication was in bad taste especially from an organization established to promote transparency and accountability, as nothing in the publication was found to be truthful.

The DSS staff had listed SERAP as 1st defendant in the suit marked CV/4547/2024. SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, was listed as the 2nd defendant.

In the suit, the claimants – Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele – accused the two defendants of making false claims that they invaded SERAP’s Abuja office on September 9, 2024..

Counsel to the DSS, Oluwagbemileke Samuel Kehinde, had while adopting his final address in the mater urged the judge to grant all the reliefs sought by his client in the interest of justice.

He admitted that although the names of the two claimants were not mentioned in the defamation materials, they had however established substantial circumstances that they are the ones referred to in the published defamation article by SERAP on its website.

The counsel submitted that all ingredients of defamation have been clearly established and the offending publication referred to the two officials of the secret police.

However, SERAP, through its counsel, Victoria Bassey from Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, law firm, asked the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that the two claimants did not establish that they were the ones referred to in the alleged defamation materials.

She said that SERAP used “DSS officials” in the alleged offending publication, adding that the two claimants must establish that they are the ones referred to before their case can succeed.

Similar arguments were canvassed by Oluwatosin Adefioye who stood for the second defendant, adding that there was no dispute in the September 9, 2024 operation of DSS in SERAP’s office.

He said that since SERAP in the publication did not name any particular person, the claimants must plead special circumstances that they were the ones referred to as the DSS officials.

Besides, he said that there is no organization by name Department of State Services in law, hence, DSS cannot claim being defamed adding that the only entity known to law is National Security Agency.

The claimants had in the suit stated that the alleged false claim by SERAP has negatively impacted on their reputation.

The DSS also stated, in the statement of claim, that, in line with the agency’s practice of engaging with officials of non-governmental organisations operating in the FCT to establish a relationship with their new leadership, it directed the two officials – John and Ogunleye – to visit SERAP’s office and invite them for a familiarization meeting.

The claimants added that in carrying out the directive, John and Ogunleye paid a friendly visit to SERAP’s office at 18 Bamako Street, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja on September 9 and met with one Ruth, who upon being informed about the purpose of the visit, claimed that none of SERAP’s management staff was in the country and advised that a formal letter of invitation be written by the DSS.

John and Ogundele, who claimed that their interactions with Ruth were recorded, said before they immediately exited SERAP’s office, Ruth promised to inform her organisation’s management about the visit and volunteered a phone number – 08160537202.

They said it was surprising that, shortly after their visit, SERAP posted on its X (Twitter) handle – @SERAPNigeria – that officers of the DSS are presently unlawfully occupying its office.

The claimant added, “On the same day, the defendants also published a statement on SERAP’s website, which was widely reported by several media outfits, falsely alleging that some officers from the DSS, described as “a tall, large, dark-skinned woman” and “a slim, dark skinned man,” invaded their Abuja office and interrogated the staff of the first defendant (SERAP).

John and Ogundele stated that “due to the false statements published by the defendants, the DSS has been ridiculed and criticised by international agencies such as the Amnesty International and prominent members of the Nigerian society, such as Femi Falana (SAN)”.

“Due to the false statements published by the defendants, members of the public and the international community formed the opinion that the Federal Government is using the DSS to harass the defendants.”

They added that the defendants’ statements caused harm to their reputation because the staff and management of the DSS have formed the opinion that the claimants did not follow orders and carried out an unsanctioned operation and are therefore, incompetent and unprofessional.

The claimants therefore prayed the court for the following reliefs: “An order directing the defendants to tender an apology to the claimants via the first defendant’s (SERAP’s) website, X (twitter) handle, two national daily newspapers (Punch and Vanguard) and two national news television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing the claimants of unlawfully invading the first defendant’s office and interrogating the first defendant’s staff.

“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N5 billion as damages for the libellous statements published about the claimants.

“Interest on the sum of N5b at the rate of 10 percent per annum from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is realised or liquidated.

“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N50 million as costs of this action.”