An specialist in policy strategy, law, and governance, Dr. Sam Amadi has shed light on the controversy surrounding the coastal road project between Lagos and Calabar, which was started by Minister of Works Dave Umahi. Amadi is the director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts.
While praising Umahi for his engineering prowess, Dr. Amadi found fault with what seemed like an ignorance of fundamental concepts in governance in his evaluation. In particular, Dr. Amadi brought attention to an incident in which Umahi appeared to disavow personal accountability by blaming "the government" for certain actions. The question asked of Umahi by Laila Johnson Salami, an environmental correspondent for Arise TV, was the source of this criticism.
Umahi seemed to duck direct responsibility when she responded to Salami's question concerning potential project exemptions granted prior to final approval. The significance of openness and responsibility in leadership was stressed by Dr. Amadi. He said that Umahi, as a public figure in charge of such massive infrastructure projects, had to show that he understands governance principles better, especially when it comes to owning up to decisions that he made.
Dr. Amadi subtly brought attention to the need of government officials being open and honest with the public and media by criticising Umahi's reaction. Umahi might have engineering chops, but he failed to demonstrate an appreciation for the fundamentals of leadership, he remarked. In answer to Laila Johnson Salami's question on whether the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project has been granted an exemption without final clearance, Umahi said, "How can you say it is the government not you?"
https://youtu.be/Hl4hUSxBIe0?si=8tPCyZ4Mx6Y64BQs