Minister of Works, David Umahi, has pledged to resign if the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano highway project fails an independent quality assessment.
He made the declaration on Wednesday while defending his ministry’s budget before a joint session of the National Assembly.
The lawmakers had questioned the award of a section of the road to a firm described by some legislators as relatively unknown in mainstream construction.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole challenged the decision to reassign part of the project from an established contractor to another company with a less visible track record in road building.
Responding firmly, Umahi dismissed concerns about the contractor’s background and urged lawmakers to focus on performance rather than reputation.
He maintained that what matters was the durability and engineering standard of the work delivered on site.
The minister invited legislators to conduct independent tests on the Abuja–Kaduna stretch of the highway.
He said he would step down from office if laboratory results show the construction fails to meet required specifications.
Umahi argued that the debate should not centre on whether concrete or asphalt was used.
According to him, poor supervision, not material choice, is often responsible for failed road infrastructure.
The minister also criticised the funding model for capital projects, describing the current cash release structure as detrimental to timely execution.
He said the proposed N3.4 trillion allocation to the ministry would be difficult to implement effectively without consistent and adequate releases.
Umahi noted that more than 95 percent of projects under the ministry are ongoing, making steady funding crucial for completion.
The session, however, was marked by heated exchanges and moments of tension.
Tempers flared after Umahi asked a lawmaker to pause his remarks so he could properly follow the question being asked.
Some lawmakers took offence at the comment, prompting Oshiomhole to caution the minister over his tone.
Although calm was briefly restored, another confrontation erupted when Deputy Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi protested an attempt to curtail his contribution.
The disagreement between the lawmaker and the committee chairman escalated, drawing attention across the chamber.
An intervention by Senator Ali Ndume, who sought to mediate, failed to ease tensions and instead deepened the standoff.
Despite the drama, the minister stood by his position, insisting the road project would meet the highest engineering standards.
