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    I Am Not On Your Level: Minister Umahi Fires Back at House Committee Chair

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    Minister of Works, David Umahi, has fiercely defended himself against accusations from the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Remi Oseni, who recently criticized his approach to road maintenance and funding in Nigeria.

    The confrontation erupted after Oseni, during a House hearing on Thursday, accused Umahi of “misprioritizing” his responsibilities and focusing solely on budgetary allocations without tackling the real issues affecting Nigeria’s deteriorating road network.

    The fiery exchange between Umahi and Oseni has drawn national attention as both men are prominent figures in the Nigerian government.

    Umahi, formerly the Governor of Ebonyi State, holds considerable influence and is well-regarded for his political achievements.

    But the public clash with Oseni has sparked debate about the management of Nigeria’s infrastructure and the effectiveness of Umahi’s leadership in the Ministry of Works.

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    At the heart of the dispute is the state of Nigeria’s federal roads, many of which are in severe disrepair, causing widespread frustration among Nigerians who depend on them for daily travel and business.

    The House hearing on Thursday was intended to address the pressing issues of road maintenance and funding, but Oseni used the opportunity to openly criticize Umahi’s leadership, sparking an immediate response from the minister.

    In his criticism, Oseni claimed that Umahi’s focus was “all about funds” and that the minister was neglecting other critical priorities.

    According to Oseni, this focus on budgetary matters has left Nigeria’s road network in shambles, with repairs falling behind and little to show in terms of progress.

    Umahi, however, did not take Oseni’s remarks lightly.

    On Monday, the minister addressed reporters and sharply rebuked Oseni’s criticisms, questioning the chairman’s qualifications to judge his leadership.

    “I am not on your level,” Umahi said, dismissing Oseni’s accusations.

    He pointed to his track record in government, emphasizing that his achievements speak for themselves and that no one has ever questioned his capabilities in his decades of public service.

    “I have never failed in anything I am involved in,” Umahi said with confidence.

    “If he likes, he should go and check my pedigree.”

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    Umahi went further, arguing that Oseni’s remarks do more harm than good to the institution of the National Assembly.

    He added that out of respect for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate President, and the National Assembly itself, he would refrain from further engaging with Oseni.

    However, Umahi did not shy away from addressing Oseni’s core criticisms.

    He clarified that his emphasis on funding was aimed at addressing what he described as a “terrible program” involving variations in project pricing.

    According to Umahi, this issue has significantly drained the budget allocated to road projects.

    Umahi implied that Oseni was siding with contractors who he believes were benefiting from the budgetary instability caused by price variations.

    “The issue of Variation of Price was eroding the little resources we put in the budget,” Umahi explained.

    Umahi’s response has led to further speculation about the relationship between the Ministry of Works and the House Committee on FERMA.

    With both entities tasked with addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure needs, a collaborative approach is crucial for any real progress.

    But the exchange between Umahi and Oseni reveals a divide that could hinder efforts to improve road maintenance and infrastructure across the country.

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