The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has slammed Remi Oseni, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, for accusing him of mispriority.
Recall that Oseni had called out Umahi over the deteriorating road network in the country during a house hearing on Thursday.
Oseni had said Umahi’s focus is on funds, while neglecting what should be his priorities.
Reacting to Oseni’s statement, Umahi, while addressing reporters on Monday, said the lawmaker had not attained half of what he has achieved in life.
The former governor said he would not join issues with the lawmaker out of the respect he has for the Speaker of House of Representatives and the National Assembly.
He said, “His (Oseni) time is very damaging to the wonderful institution of the National Assembly, especially the 10th national assembly. For the respect of the Speaker and, of course, the Senate President and the National Assembly institution that I belong to, I will refrain myself from joining issues with him.
“Let me say that I was not physically present, nor my permanent secretary, because nobody can talk to me like that in my presence. It’s not possible. Number two, it was to discuss the budget 2025 of FERMA, and it went into the job of Senate Committee and House Committee of Works, and it’s very unfortunate.
“And from what he gathered, he thought possibly working with some contractors who are not happy with the reform in the Ministry of Works, he thought I was going to be removed. And so his anger is, why was I not removed?
“ Because that’s the basic reason to have veered off totally from the issues he called for discussion. And his type is very damaging to the very wonderful institution of the National Assembly, especially the 10th National Assembly,” Umahi said.
“He said I have failed… No one in life ever said I have failed and I have never failed in anything I am involved in and if he likes, he should go and check my pedigree.
“I believe that God has to be with him to attain half of what I have attained in life. So, I will not join issues with him because I have tremendous respect for Mr Speaker and the National Assembly.
