Minister of Works, David Umahi, has vowed to resign from office if the ongoing Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road project fails any quality assessment and is proven to be substandard.
Umahi made the declaration on Wednesday during his budget defence before a joint session of the National Assembly. Addressing lawmakers, the minister expressed full confidence in the standard of work being executed on the project and welcomed independent verification of its structural integrity.
His comments followed concerns raised by some legislators regarding the award of a section of the road contract to a company described as relatively unknown in mainstream road construction. Questions were particularly directed at the contractor’s background, with claims that the firm had previously been associated with generator sales rather than large-scale infrastructure projects.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, specifically queried the rationale behind withdrawing the contract from an established construction company and awarding it to another firm not widely recognized in the sector. He stressed the need for transparency and due diligence in the procurement process, especially for a project of national importance.
In response, Umahi dismissed reservations about the contractor’s history, arguing that performance and delivery should take precedence over public perception. According to him, the emphasis should remain on measurable quality outcomes rather than assumptions about a company’s previous line of business.
“I’m just hearing about Maikano for the first time. Whether they are selling goats or cows, they are doing well,” the minister stated.
Reaffirming his confidence, Umahi challenged lawmakers to conduct independent concrete tests on the Abuja–Kaduna stretch of the road. “Bring the best of your concrete testers. If you test it and it fails, I will throw in the towel,” he said.
