Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has taken a swipe at the Minister of Works, David Umahi, accusing him of being evasive about the cost details of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Reacting to Umahi’s recent heated exchange with journalist Rufai Oseni on national television, Makinde said Nigerians have the right to know how their money is being spent on such a massive infrastructure project.
He stated that disclosing the average cost per kilometre should not be a challenge if there is nothing to hide, citing his administration’s openness in releasing the cost of projects such as the Oyo–Iseyin and Iseyin–Ogbomoso roads.
According to Makinde, transparency and accountability in public spending are vital for building citizens’ trust and ensuring responsible governance.
The 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which cuts across nine states, has continued to stir controversy over its cost, funding source, and execution process. Makinde’s remarks add momentum to mounting calls for greater transparency in federal infrastructure projects.
