If there was any doubt about how highly President Bola Tinubu thinks of his Works Minister Dave Umahi, his words of praise and appreciation during the flag-off of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway in Lagos certainly dispelled that.
It’s easy to forget that Umahi, fresh off eight years as governor of Ebonyi State – where he earned a reputation for undertaking and completing ambitious infrastructural projects – was elected to serve in the senate, only for Tinubu to “poach” him.
Surely, his appointment as Works Minister wasn’t just random, but a well thought out plan by the President, who must have realised that plugging Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit, would do his reputation a world of good.
For Umahi, he must have gotten assurances, for him to jettison an elected position which has a defined tenure, for an appointment where he would have to serve at the President’s pleasure. But he took the job, knowing he could make an impact and boost his reputation.
Fast-forward a few months, and it looks like a gamble that has paid off.
Despite a rocky start, brought about by a face-off with workers in the ministry who he locked out of their offices for coming to work late, Umahi has earned a reputation as a performing minister, completing numerous projects that had stalled before he came on board.
In many situations, he has renegotiated contracts and driven down costs. In some cases he threatened to terminate contracts, in a bid to get the job done.
The highlight was the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland bridge, which earned widespread praise for the speed and quality of work done.
It was all smooth sailing for Umahi, until the commencement of the contentious and controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
The ambitious highway project was swiftly met with opposition, contempt and cries for help as it required the demolition of structures in its path.
The destruction of tourism businesses on a stretch of beachfront on the Oniru-Landmark axis didn’t help. The minister said they were shanties, but images of the expensive, visually-appealing poolside at the Breeze Beach club were met with outrage.
Protests, such as the bonfire at Landmark Beach with the hashtag “#Savelandmarkbeach,” highlighted the emotional toll on the community.
Swatting away the outcry, both from business owners personally affected, and a horde on social media outraged by what seemed like a lack of empathy, Umahi forged ahead, with the speed of one who knew he was being watched and assessed by a boss who had put a lot of faith in him.
But there was more opposition waiting along the 47-kilometres stretch of the project’s first phase. Ancestral homes of centuries-old communities
were threatened by the “legacy project.”
Pleas And Protests
As demolitions progressed, pleas from the affected communities grew louder. Residents and business owners urged the government to consider reverting to the old alignment to preserve their properties.
Despite these efforts, the demolitions continued, leading to increased backlash on social media. Critics questioned government’s motives. Umahi, however, maintained that the demolitions were a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.
“You can’t make omelettes without breaking eggs,” one of his favourite statements.
A Beam Of Hope
The turning point came during the third stakeholders’ meeting on May 23rd, when Umahi demonstrated the “human face” he often spoke about. He invited stakeholders to present their concerns, stating, “We are not here to fight. We are here to solve your problems, and we seek your cooperation. I believe strongly by God’s special grace that we’ll all walk out of here smiling.”
He urged stakeholders to present their grievances and challenges, and many voiced their concerns about the proposed route’s impact on their homes and businesses.
Two large screens displayed both the old and new alignments, facilitating a clear visual understanding of the proposed changes and areas of concern, with the minister leading the conversation with explanations while asking for clarification where necessary and giving careful consideration.
He gave on-the-spot answers to some, while deliberating on other requests.
A Heartwarming Verdict
After considering the appeals and interventions, Umahi delivered a heartwarming verdict that brought relief to many. He announced, “To the glory of God, to solve MTN, 2Africa, and Okun Ajah community complaints, we are diverting completely from the new alignment (at Kilometre 16) and rejoining back to our new alignment at kilometer 25. Congratulations.”
The revised alignment – apart from preserving the heritage of Okun-Ajah residents, also avoids disrupting essential infrastructure, especially submarine communication cables.
Praise and prayers were showered on Umahi after this announcement. He had made good on his earlier promise, when he said, “We’ll all walk out of here smiling.”
Through strategic thinking, Umahi averted a PR disaster by winning the hearts of the Okun Ajah community in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, while also eliciting praise for the President.
The audience ended up singing “On your mandate we stand,” a chant sung in honour of President Tinubu.
More Praise And Recognition
Praise for Umahi did not stop at the stakeholders’ meeting. It continued during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Apapa-Oworonshoki expressway and the Third Mainland Bridge on May 26, where the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Yakubu Adam Kofamata, lauded his efforts.
Kofamata highlighted Umahi’s negotiation skills, which he said saved Nigeria substantial funds on various projects, totaling N1.19tn. He praised Umahi for his effective leadership, stating, “In my presence, he (Umahi) renegotiated the price of that project and saved Nigeria N640bn. That is on one project, Abuja-Kano.
“On the 2nd Niger Bridge -;which I also happened to be there;- he also renegotiated the price. The contractors agreed and saved Nigeria another N300bn.
“On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, phase 1 and phase 2, Mr. President, the same Umahi was able to save N250bn, totalling N1.19tn naira under your able administration.
“Mr. President, thank you very much for having a minister in that ministry that knows what he’s doing,” Kofamata enthused.
Umahi Speaks
When the minister took to the podium, he expatiated on his methods. He emphasised the adoption of reinforced concrete technology, which ensures durability, potentially lasting up to 100 years. He also highlighted the installation of solar lights, which enhances safety and earns tax credits.
“The Third Mainland bridge, which we are going to commission virtually, is not just rehabilitation. All the expansion joints had given way and they transmitted load directly to the bearing under, which gave way. So, we had to replace all the expansion joints. We also put exotic lights on the floor.”
Umahi then redirected praise to the President for his support. He said, “It’s my pleasure, Mr. President. Let me thank you very much. It takes a man like you for us to keep up this fight because you have given it all the support, because we are passing through the terrain that you have passed through. So it’s very easy. You understand the language that we speak.”
Presidential Commendation
Praise for Umahi continued, this time directly from the President, who on numerous occasions during the flag-off of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, applauded him for his work. Tinubu said it was his day to brag.
To the discerning, Tinubu wasn’t only bragging about a project he had envisioned years ago, and which was being actualised with the help of confidantes and associates. He was also bragging about his judgement, putting a round peg in a round hole, by appointing an accomplished engineer as his Works minister.
President Tinubu expressed his satisfaction with Umahi. “The minister of Works who has been diligent and very effective, Engr. David Umahi, I say thank you very much. You have not disappointed us,” he said.
Again, Tinubu underscoring his pride in the minister’s accomplishments said, “I commend the Honourable Minister of Works once again. Like I said, it’s my bragging day.”
Enhanced Reputation
By feeling the pulse of stakeholders, listening to their concerns and making necessary adjustments at the right moment, Umahi enhanced his and President Tinubu’s reputation among the indigenes on the Ibeju-Lekki axis. They came off looking good as considerate leaders who strive to apply “human face” in what they do.
Many, though, are still sceptical about the coastal highway and if it will see the light of day. However, the intentionality and speed with which it’s currently being carried out (1.3 kilometres of the initial 47-kilometre stretch was constructed before its official inauguration) suggests the project is on its way to being completed in record time.
Assurance has also come from President Tinubu who said, “Don’t be afraid, we will do this road – 700 kilometres. It will be a success for Nigeria, and we will do more of this, you and I, together…”
Melissa Enoch
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