₦airaland Forum

I agree with you. The cost of granite is insane especially outside of Lagos, Ogun. Ibadan , Abuja and Nasarawa.

hush15:
That's why Umahi is avoiding it but its better Nigerians knows the truth and deal with it than hide it...

The cost is even known by meta AI ,so why hiding it

FarahAideed:
When we warned about Tinubu devaluing the Naira , this is what we mean ,his policies have devalued the Naira so much state govts might not be able to construct more than 12kms at a go

Tinubu did not devalue the Naira, stop misleading ignorant ones like you

guobe:
A couple of years ago,roads were constructed with about 10 million naira per kilometer.
The amount presently being used in constructing road per kilometer has so skyrocketed that it is very difficult for anyone that knows to mention it and you won't even hear it from me too even as I am an Engineer.
The inflation currently in the country has cut across so many things and it will be very difficult to construct roads with this present amount as it is just too expensive to say the list.
We are in a dire situation.

Another Umahi sported.
Naija I hail you

This thing is not universal , there are several factors that are considered before arriving at the total cost , topography , soil type and the amount of materials used.
Generally road construction are expensive but the truth is that government awards contacts with certain percentages to themselves and the contractors ends up constructing a poor road because he has to make profits too.

FarahAideed:
When we warned about Tinubu devaluing the Naira , this is what we mean ,his policies have devalued the Naira so much state govts might not be able to construct more than 12kms at a go

You warned against devaluation. Do you want the country to subsidize dollars to support your fake lifestyle. Go and be more productive and get out here.

guobe:
Ah you just hit the nail in the head.
You can imagine the amount being used now ,how many roads will they now construct.
Nigeria is presently a joke.

These roads should have been built long ago but they were busy swallowing our money.
They will award the contracts,mobilise,throw some sand,rock etc on the ground and disappear.Trillions of dollars of the masses money have been embezzled by this system of deceit.
The projects being done by this govt,albeit expensive,seem to be a done deal.They are serious and it seems like they will complete it even before schedule.
The most important and exciting aspect is that it is being financed 70% by private entity with just 30% from govt.
It will be tolled and this will make the maintenance a sure banker thing that will make it last very much longer.
There are a lot of projects this govt is seriously executing but there should be enough transparency in all of them.We are happy that they are truly being executed real time.

Bro,

Everywhere in the world, road construction projects are very expensive per kilometer.

Oga he is a civil servant, so he is answerable to whatever questions Oseni ask him...

Afriifa:
People be asking what played out on Arise TV.
Umahi was triggered by Oseni's unprofessional media practice. But as a public servant he ought to have handled it better. Umahi could have simply told him the cost per 1kilometre road, and explained the technicalities behind the overestimated budget.
What does Oseni mean by "reporting me to Mr President?"
Who does he think he is?
Rufai Oseni feels journalism is about having a loud opinion on subject matters that defy his pedigree. There was a day this guy was arguing an economics subject with an established scholar in the name of journalism, even me that was watching felt triggered.
Finally, whether Umahi is right or wrong about his claim of professor in practice, it sha depends on who is judging.
Umahi is a seasoned engineer. where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering in 1987. His early career spanned various engineering roles, including stints with major firms like Saipem and SCC Nigeria Limited. Before his governorship, Umahi held several leadership roles in the private sector, including co-founding Norman Engineering & Construction Nigeria Ltd and leading Brass Engineering & Construction Nigeria Ltd. He is well-known for his tenure as the Governor of Ebonyi State, serving from 2015 to 2023. Managing a small state and delivering. He is the current Minister of Works.
If you are the one, will let someone who has no knowledge no pedigree in your field talk to you in the manner Oseni did in the name of journalism?

Putinofrussia:
These roads should have been built long ago but they were busy swallowing our money.
They will award the contracts,mobilise,throw some sand,rock etc on the ground and disappear.Trillions of dollars of the masses money have been embezzled by this system of deceit.
The projects being done by this govt,albeit expensive,seem to be a done deal.They are serious and it seems like they will complete it even before schedule.
The most important and exciting aspect is that it is being financed 70% by private entity with just 30% from govt.
It will be tolled and this will make the maintenance a sure banker thing that will make it last very much longer.
There are a lot of projects this govt is seriously executing but there should be enough transparency in all of them.We are happy that they are truly being executed real time.

You are not getting the point of this discuss,even if the Federal Government can cough out the money being used presently for road construction, what about the state Government and also other parastatals saddled with constructing roads.
Cheaper roads signify more kilometres of road will be constructed while expensive roads means lesser kilometres of roads to be constructed.

Image123:
The cost per kilometer of a 750km project cannot be determined. It can only be estimated or averaged. And conditions may change. This is not building a kiosk or chicken hutch. The terrain and soils are different. Some will need more work or fillings, some different contractors, some will be bridge. Cost of materials and labour from place to place, weather, some diversions, some unexpected challenges, all differ.
We should focus on intelligence, professionalism and patriotism instead of theatrics and media trials.

Your explanation is understandable,however,
how did they arrived at the 15trillion they budgetted for the project?

How did they also pick Hi tech construction company over other experience constructiin companies?

Are Nigerians not supposed to know how such huge amount of money is being spent?

These guys are our employees and should be accountable to us rather than feeling bigger than the masses whose money and resources they were employed to manage..

Image123:
The cost per kilometer of a 750km project cannot be determined. It can only be estimated or averaged. And conditions may change. This is not building a kiosk or chicken hutch. The terrain and soils are different. Some will need more work or fillings, some different contractors, some will be bridge. Cost of materials and labour from place to place, weather, some diversions, some unexpected challenges, all differ.
We should focus on intelligence, professionalism and patriotism instead of theatrics and media trials.

You don't know what you are saying, I know you're paid as a data boy but please don't be cee ly.

How will a project be signed without a working figure.

In account or data dealings, there is what is called "±" which is always used to checkmate any changes due to uncontrollable (on their sides) factors.

Afriifa:
People be asking what played out on Arise TV.
Umahi was triggered by Oseni's unprofessional media practice. But as a public servant he ought to have handled it better. Umahi could have simply told him the cost per 1kilometre road, and explained the technicalities behind the overestimated budget.
What does Oseni mean by "reporting me to Mr President?"
Who does he think he is?
Rufai Oseni feels journalism is about having a loud opinion on subject matters that defy his pedigree. There was a day this guy was arguing an economics subject with an established scholar in the name of journalism, even me that was watching felt triggered.
Finally, whether Umahi is right or wrong about his claim of professor in practice, it sha depends on who is judging.
Umahi is a seasoned engineer. where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering in 1987. His early career spanned various engineering roles, including stints with major firms like Saipem and SCC Nigeria Limited. Before his governorship, Umahi held several leadership roles in the private sector, including co-founding Norman Engineering & Construction Nigeria Ltd and leading Brass Engineering & Construction Nigeria Ltd. He is well-known for his tenure as the Governor of Ebonyi State, serving from 2015 to 2023. Managing a small state and delivering. He is the current Minister of Works.
If you are the one, will let someone who has no knowledge no pedigree in your field talk to you in the manner Oseni did in the name of journalism?

With all you say that Umahi is and has done, how come he could not tell Nigerians the cost of a kilometer of the road he is constructing?

ayoncox:
He is right, I am a civil Engineer, except in rain forests and waterlogged areas as at 2010 10 Million Naira should be able to do 1 Kilometer in most areas in the north, because necessary aggregates are very much available at affordable costs. But because of corruption we often escalate the prices, that is why most times government kicks against individuals and religious bodies like churches from doing roads or repairing them

At $65,000 per km, it should be cheaper than anywhere else in the world. Do you mind mentioning a couple of those northern roads? For it to be that cheap, it has to apply economy of scale, which would mean these are notably long stretch roads. We can argue quality but not price. You can look up construction costs in other countries, including those with the same economic trajectory or within the same West Africa region."

The cost of building a kilometer of road can not be the same. Secondly it depends on the type of land e.g a kilometer of road in swampy area and on a normal dry land can not be the same. This is com.on sense. Rufia Oseni is inexperience even in his chosen profession. He lacks manners and disrespect his guest always expert those of his party members he will be polite and ask questions like a gentleman but for others he want to use them to shine. But the likes Lanre or Bwala or wike will never give him such chance. I like what Engr. Umahi did to him. Behind all opening questions you can see pure bigotry.

It's more than that I hope to submit a Beat for a road construction work and my projection is 1.7 billion per kilometer

sholatech:
With good drainages and asphalt laying, can we say its now 1 Billion naira per km?

guobe:
Exactly, Nigerians should not expect massive road construction as it used to be before.
The currency devaluation has crippled all sectors.
Presently ,just expect patching of roads here and there.

Go and check the number of roads currently under construction in Nigeria, do a GOOD RESEARCH and don't be lazy, you'll see Tinubu is no Goodluck Jonathan or Buhari.

guobe:
A couple of years ago,roads were constructed with about 10 million naira per kilometer.

The amount presently being used in constructing road per kilometer has so skyrocketed that it is very difficult for anyone that knows to mention it and you won't even hear it from me too even as I am an Engineer.

The inflation currently in the country has cut across so many things and it will be very difficult to construct roads with this present amount as it is just too expensive to say the list.
We are in a dire situation.

I think it's now three billion per kilometer, so that the thieves can make a lot of money from highly inflated contract sums.

prophetfire:
I think it's now three billion per kilometer, so that the thieves can make a lot of money from highly inflated contract sums.

😆 lol ,data boys will buy you beer for this .lol

Forumobserver12:
Your explanation is understandable,however,
how did they arrived at the 15trillion they budgetted for the project?

How did they also pick Hi tech construction company over other experience constructiin companies?

Are Nigerians not supposed to know how such huge amount of money is being spent?

These guys are our employees and should be accountable to us rather than feeling bigger than the masses whose money and resources they were employed to manage..

He's earlier answered all these with the same guys here.

For context, here’s the video of the Minister breaking down the cost of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project during a previous interview on the same Arise TV, anchored by the same journalist.

Link to full video:https://t.co/8MNqCDxvLH pic.twitter.com/KLY0mVDM0B

— Gbolahan (@iamgbolahan) October 8, 2025

Even yesterday, he still tried explaining. Only that the rude interviewer made it all about sensationalism than a productive discussion.

guobe:
A couple of years ago,roads were constructed with about 10 million naira per kilometer.

The amount presently being used in constructing road per kilometer has so skyrocketed that it is very difficult for anyone that knows to mention it and you won't even hear it from me too even as I am an Engineer.

The inflation currently in the country has cut across so many things and it will be very difficult to construct roads with this present amount as it is just too expensive to say the list.
We are in a dire situation.

I may not be an engineer, but at least I'm a facility manager, and I know little about building and I married from a family, whose father is a town planer, brothers are engineers and surveyor..

In as much as things are expensive, it shouldn't be expensive like what all our politicians are currently budgeting on road, road that doesn't stand the test of time..

Road that will get spoilt in 6month, no drainage system no manhole, where future cable cam pass through to the next street on like before when we used to have them, go to street, you discovered that network cable people have almost spoilt all road just because they want to lay their cables..

FarahAideed:
When we warned about Tinubu devaluing the Naira , this is what we mean ,his policies have devalued the Naira so much state govts might not be able to construct more than 12kms at a go

On the contrary, State governments are now awash with a lot of cash. The Naira devaluation increased their naira revenue from crude oil.

So, lets say, the FG is to share $1bn to the 4 tiers of government, at $1- N440 in mid June 2023, that would be N440Bn

Today that same $1bn will be N1.5Trn.

In additon,the removal of the petrol subsidies also enriched States.

Let's assume the country was to spend N8trn on subsidies, half of that would be from State and local governments revenue which is 4trn.

That 4trn would now be given to them as revenue.

So, the economic reforms has been a boon for the States and local governments and that's why many State governors are supporting him.

As at 10 years ago, 1.1km of road construction was awarded in Lagos for over 2 billion naira. The corruption in the road construction is deeper that you think.

Every state government in Nigeria is involved in this fraud. Road construction is where government officials and politicans rip the people off.

Regardless, it must be estimable. You can use the costliest senerios.

Image123:
The cost per kilometer of a 750km project cannot be determined. It can only be estimated or averaged. And conditions may change. This is not building a kiosk or chicken hutch. The terrain and soils are different. Some will need more work or fillings, some different contractors, some will be bridge. Cost of materials and labour from place to place, weather, some diversions, some unexpected challenges, all differ.
We should focus on intelligence, professionalism and patriotism instead of theatrics and media trials.

APCNig:
Tinubu did not devalue the Naira, stop misleading ignorant ones like you

He did , he didn't only devalued the Naira , he tanked our GDP by 200 billion dollars

wunmi590:
I may not be an engineer, but at least I'm a facility manager, and I know little about building and I married from a family, whose father is a town planer, brothers are engineers and surveyor..

In as much as things are expensive, it shouldn't be expensive like what all our politicians are currently budgeting on road, road that doesn't stand the test of time..

Road that will get spoilt in 6month, no drainage system no manhole, where future cable cam pass through to the next street on like before when we used to have them, go to street, you discovered that network cable people have almost spoilt all road just because they want to lay their cables..

Exactly the point I am trying to make,it is just too expensive with the current rates floating around.
We can't construct long stretch of roads with this amount because it is too expensive.

Ikumapkayi:
You warned against devaluation. Do you want the country to subsidize dollars to support your fake lifestyle. Go and be more productive and get out here.

Under Buhari we were pay140 Naira subsidy on a litre , tell Whey Tinubu govt overnight increases the price to 590 instead of 350 ? That singular mover put inflation on everything which I turn devalued the Naira instantly and also affected the price of petrol with days so much it moved to over 900 Naira

So government can not pay abi that means no more roads construction again in my con3

persius555:
As at 10 years ago, 1.1km of road construction was awarded in Lagos for over 2 billion naira. The corruption in the road construction is deeper that you think.

Every state government in Nigeria is involved in this fraud. Road construction is where government officials and politicans rip the people off.

This is quite serious men.

mastereyebee:
Umahi is very wrong not Rufai, you can provide an average cost per kilometer in a project. are you saying you wont have a project cost before embarking on the project? please lets not be playing games with serious issues. just like when you ask a local workman, engineer for a cost break down quote they wont want to give because you likely benchmark them. if the minister share his figures it will be a good place to start the conversation. I bet when he leaves office he will just leave a total cost of the project and empty details of the break and cost which is suppose to be public documents, no opportunity for the next guy to continue and learn from their mistake, use as a benchmark or even audit the project

Let me ask. Are you a civil engineer or contractor in related field?
A layman can do a calculation per kilometer after seeing the total cost but an expert will never do that.
When you are doing project of such magnitude, as a contractor or engineer, you are advised to visit the site and give your estimate. Not matter what your realistic estimate is, you are advised to increase it by at least 30% so you don't run at a loss after embarking on such project. Constructing a coast highway is different from constructing.a major road even if such kilometer.
Once again, you can't see or hear a professional engineer WORLDWIDE giving a breakdown of a COASTAL ROAD in Km, NEVER.
What a professional engineer would do is to give the total cost or total break down of expenses, NOT PER KM estimates. It is not done.
This is not even an argument. Whether it is Umahi or RUFAI or anyone else. NO CONTRACTOR OR ENGINEER GIVES A KM/KM ESTIMATES OF A COASTAL HIGHWAY because no two kilometers is the same on a coastal road.

The question Rufai should have asked was a breakdown of expenses so far which will cover all the cost summary. That is all an engineer on A COASTAL HIGHWAY can do. Ask real experts who have done coastal roads before around you.

No Be Juju Be Dat?

grandstar:
On the contrary, State governments are now awash with a lot of cash. The Naira devaluation increased their naira revenue from crude oil.

So, lets say, the FG is to share $1bn to the 4 tiers of government, at $1- N440 in mid June 2023, that would be N440Bn

Today that same $1bn will be N1.5Trn.

In additon,the removal of the petrol subsidies also enriched States.

Let's assume the country was to spend N8trn on subsidies, half of that would be from State and local governments revenue which is 4trn.

That 4trn would now be given to them as revenue.

So, the economic reforms has been a boon for the States and local governments and that's why many State governors are supporting him.

But are they really away with any cash ?

They now have to spend 10 times more on any project because of inflation caused by the devaluation

guobe:
Exactly the point I am trying to make,it is just too expensive with the current rates floating around.
We can't construct long stretch of roads with this amount because it is too expensive.

The current crop of politicians and leaders needs to be overtaken and new fresh head needs to be in power to effect changes and reduce corruption to the nearest minimum