EXTRA: ‘I need interpreter for your phonetics’ — Umahi mocks journalist during stakeholder meeting

David Umahi, minister of works, has been criticised for his exchange with Laila Johnson-Salami, an Arise News correspondent.

The exchange occurred during a stakeholder meeting on compensation for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

During the briefing, Johnson-Salami asked if the project has gone through an environmental impact assessment (EIA) as required by law.

“The EIA Act of 1992 states that an EIA must be approved by the federal ministry of environment before the commencement of any project, unless an exemption has been given,” Johnson-Salami said.

Before this, the journalist was interrupted by Umahi who said he was raised in the village and was having difficulties understanding her ‘phoné’, a slang for phonetics.

“I am sorry, I cannot help the way I speak,” Johnson-Salami replied.

Umahi asked for an interpreter, to which the journalist said: “You have enough people sitting next to you.”

When the correspondent insisted on clarifying if the project had environmental approval, the minister said “it is federal government that gives approval, not you… we have approval”.

Johnson-Salami asked if the minister could share the preliminary or final approval for the project with the media, but he did not give a definitive answer.

“Everything in order,” Umahi replied.

The exchange elicited reactions from social media users, with many criticising the minister for his attempt at mocking the journalist and evading the question.

“Sister, do not bend for anyone. How condescending can a public and government official be. I wonder if he can say the same to international journalists. No one cares where you were raised. Improve yourself so you can intellectually answer questions,” Ella Madu, an X user, tweeted.

Here are more reactions.

He's DELIBERATELY trying to make light of her question, elicit one or two laughs from the audience before retorting with a wishy washy response.

See bah, I'm tired.
If a thief grabs power, I'm not sure I'm surprised he has urchins as Ministers.

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— 👑S.A.L.A.K.O🕊 (@UnkleAyo) May 1, 2024

"It is the FG that gives the approval, it's not you."—Dave Umahi.

You can hear the arrogance, the emptiness & the unmistakable lawlessness in those words.

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Big ups to @lailajohnsonsal for that no-nonsense professionalism. Arise Mgt is def doing sth right! pic.twitter.com/wvv501EZLC

— Spotlight Abby (@Spotlight_Abby) May 1, 2024

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I applaud the composure of this Arise TV reporter.
Shame on Dave Umahi for thinking he could embarrass her.pic.twitter.com/PumvdZyCSo

— Uncle Cellz (@odirah_cellz) May 2, 2024

The anyhowness of these rogues in power keeps getting worse. Laila Johnson (Arise TV reporter) asked a very important question but to make it like it was not an issue, David Umahi (minister of works) was displaying a very sour and highly distasteful theatrics.

If a CNN or Sky… pic.twitter.com/pb0BIlGbmI

— Olamide Obe (@olajideobe) May 1, 2024

If Laila Johnson Salami of Arise Tv was a journalist in Ebonyi State just about one year ago, she would be spending this night and many nights to come in a DSS/Police Cell.

That's how mad Umahi moved as a Governor.

— Malachy Odo II (@MalachyOdo1) May 1, 2024

Just listen to how Umahi is embarrassing himself.

He was raised in the village, and can't hear what she is saying.

He thinks it is in Ebonyi where he intimidates journalists.

Thank you Laila Johnson-Salami for asking him that question.

pic.twitter.com/9BB4IOCfn0

— Anambra 1st son (@UchePOkoye) May 1, 2024