I Will Resign If Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road Project Fails Quality Test – Umahi Vows

In a dramatic showdown at the National Assembly, Minister of Works David Umahi has staked his position on the quality of the ongoing Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway reconstruction, vowing to step down if independent tests reveal any substandard work.

The bold declaration came during a heated budget defence session where lawmakers grilled the minister over the controversial award of a key section of the project to Mikano Construction Limited, a firm previously better known for generator sales than major infrastructure projects.

The session, meant to scrutinize the ministry’s proposed N3.4 trillion budget for 2026, descended into chaos as senators clashed over procurement transparency and project execution.

Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole led the charge, questioning why the contract was yanked from established giant Julius Berger and handed to Mikano, which he described as an “unknown” entity in road construction circles.

Oshiomhole argued that such decisions raised red flags about competence and potential cost overruns on the vital northern artery.Dismissing the concerns, Umahi emphasized that the focus should be on deliverables, not the contractor’s past ventures. “I’m just hearing about Mikano for the first time. Whether they are selling goats or cows, they are doing well,” the minister fired back, expressing satisfaction with the progress on the Abuja-Kaduna stretch.

He challenged the lawmakers to an on-site inspection and independent concrete testing, adding, “Bring the best of your concrete testers. If you test it and it fails, I will throw in the towel.”

The Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, a 375-kilometer lifeline connecting the Federal Capital Territory to key northern states, has been plagued by delays and escalating costs. Initially budgeted at over N507 billion, the project was restructured under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure durability for over a century, with Umahi previously vowing timely completion during a 2025 inspection.

The shift from Julius Berger stemmed from disputes over pricing and timelines, paving the way for local firms like Mikano to step in.

Mikano Construction Limited, a subsidiary of Mikano International – a powerhouse in Nigeria’s power generation sector since 1993 – has expanded into civil engineering, boasting capabilities in high-rise buildings, housing developments, and infrastructural works.

Despite its generator roots, the company employs over 1,800 staff and aims to become a leading player in Nigeria’s construction landscape. However, critics in the Assembly argued that such awards to less-experienced firms could compromise standards on critical infrastructure.

The budget defence also saw tensions boil over between Senate Deputy Whips, highlighting broader frustrations with federal project allocations. Of the N3.245 trillion capital envelope, N760 billion is earmarked for new projects across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, with Umahi defending the ministry’s priorities amid economic headwinds.

This incident underscores ongoing debates about transparency in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector, where high-profile projects often attract scrutiny over contractor selection and quality assurance. As the road nears completion, all eyes will be on the promised tests to see if Umahi’s confidence holds up – or if his resignation becomes reality.