Industry experts have reacted differently to President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of the immediate past governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, as the Minister of Works.
The Chief Executive Officer of Magnificent Choice Services Project and Engineering Ltd, Jeremiah Akinsele, told The PUNCH that although Umahi studied Civil Engineering, he had left practice almost 20 years ago.
He said, “Umahi left practice almost 20 years ago, and has been a partisan politician. I thought the new government would hire a technocrat that has an understanding of how the construction industry works.
“The former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has not been able to justify his tenure. He is not a professional. Hence, the management of projects he did was done as a quack. We see a lot of things roll out in the newspapers but do not speak in reality.”
He argued that having non-professionals in the Ministry of Works had hindered the progress of the construction industry.
“I do not expect anything dramatic from Umahi, and putting a core politician in charge of that kind of sector is not good for the country. I was expecting someone who would do a roadmap for the construction industry. So, I am not expecting anything different from what we have had,” Akinsele asserted.
According to him, Umahi has not justified his performance in Ebonyi State to qualify for the ministerial position.
Also, a partner at Building Services Design Consultant Limited, Taye Olufemi, said the newly appointed Minister of Works did not have any precedent to tell that he was going to perform.
He said, “Umahi did not perform as a governor. The governors, particularly from the east, that joined the All Progressives Congress, did not perform. They used the ministerial position as a means of being relevant.
“This was why a former member of the APC said that once you join the APC, your sins are forgiven. I do not expect anything from the newly appointed Minister of Works. And besides, what is expected is that the majority of them would be diplomats or technocrats, as the case may be, in which case they would likely perform better. However, if there is a politician there, especially one without any record, I do not know what you want us to discuss.”
“So, they give these positions to make their boys happy and satisfy their godfathers. The Ministry of Works should be given to a person who knows what to do. I will advocate that it be given to someone, if possible, an engineer who is exposed and knows how to solve the problem. The main problem with road traffic is that there are no alternative routes, which is the primary factor causing the incessant traffic situation.”
According to Olufemi, giving Umahi the position of the Minister of Works is unfortunate.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch, Lagos State, Femi Adedotun, said being an engineer gave Umahi an edge.
He said, “During his tenure as the governor of Ebonyi State, Umahi was able to touch a lot on infrastructure. So, I believe he would definitely perform. In addition, being part of us as an engineer we would put him on his toes to ensure his tenure surpasses that of Fashola.”
In the same vein, an erstwhile Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch, Akintola Onimoero, applauded the appointment.
He said, “For the first time in recent times, an engineer is the Minister of Works. Hence, we as a country should be able to do the right thing. I see it as a round peg in a round hole. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, a trusted friend, and a trusted engineer. So, we would look forward to him doing the right thing.”
