Umahi to contractors: My name is David — I’m not afraid of legal battles

David Umahi, minister of works, says he is not scared of going to court with contractors seeking to “unduly benefit” from projects.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday, Umahi said he fought many battles as governor.

Umahi governed Ebonyi between 2015 and 2023.

“I am also equal to the task. I fought many battles as governor of Ebonyi state and my name is David,” Umahi said.

“I am not afraid of battles. But let them hear it and hear it well. They want to unduly benefit from the project by going to court. They are wasting their time because David is there.

“So, you talk about when a dollar was N150, you talk about when AGO was N130 per litre and then you compare it with what you have today.

“It is very embarrassing even taking such projects to the federal executive council. You come and say the project was N11 billion 18 years ago and it is N180 billion now. Who will believe we are straight?

“So, the safest way is to have an agreement with the contractor that has been terminated and then procure again in bits based on availability of funds.

“The funding and budgetary provision are our guidelines now in any procurement or review of the project that we are doing.

“So, you see that some projects may be stepped down due to poor budgetary provision. But they are not terminated. When there are funds, we resurrect them and go ahead.”

Umahi also condemned the vandalisation of some sections of major highways in the country.

He said the Second Niger Bridge and Abuja-Kano road have been destroyed by vandals who steal expansion joints crucial to the bridge’s structural integrity.

The minister said two generals and vigilantes have been engaged for surveillance of the roads.