David Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, has responded to recent criticism from Representative Remi Oseni, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
During an oversight session, Oseni criticized the minister’s handling of the country’s road infrastructure, accusing Umahi of prioritizing “less important issues” instead of focusing on essential road repairs across the nation.
He said, “You are not here to tell us what we already know in the area of resources. So, if you are telling us the reason you have failed in fixing our road infrastructure is because of resources — don’t let me take you up on that because you concentrated your energy as a minister on less priority issues.”
In his reply, Umahi chose not to directly confront the lawmaker, citing respect for the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.
He said, “Let me say that I was not physically present at the meeting, nor was my permanent secretary because nobody can talk to me like that in my presence. It’s not possible.
“And from what I gathered, he is possibly working with some contractors who are not happy with the reform in the Ministry of Works, or he thought I was going to be removed. And so his anger is, why was I not removed?
“For the respect of Mr. Speaker, and of course the Senate President, and the National Assembly Institution that I belong to, I will refrain myself from joining issues with him. He said I have failed.
“No one in life ever said I have failed and I have never failed in anything I am involved in, and if he likes, he should go and check my pedigree. I believe that God has to be with him to attain half of what I have attained in life. So, I will not join issues with him because I have tremendous respect for Mr Speaker and the National Assembly.”
