Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has been berated for allegedly downplaying the Environmental Impression Evaluation (EIA) facet of the multi-billion Naira Lagos-Calabar coastal freeway undertaking.
LEADERSHIP studies that EIA is the evaluation of the environmental penalties of a plan, coverage, program, or precise tasks previous to the choice to maneuver ahead with the proposed motion.
At a media briefing by the Minister of Works, a tv reporter, Laila Johnson-Salami of Come up Information Channel had posed a query to Umahi in regards to the EIA on the much-talked-about Lagos-Calabar Freeway Undertaking however a drama ensued earlier than she was capable of ask the query because the Minister jocularly picked on her due to her accent.
In line with a viral video posted on X by AriseNews on Wednesday, the next drama ensued instantly Laila was handed the microphone to ask her query:
Umahi: “Sister, I used to be raised within the village, me I no dey hear phoneh (phonetics), so attempt to communicate…”
Laila: “Effectively, sorry, I can’t assist the best way I communicate. You talked about that the ESIS was being carried out in the mean time. The EIA Act of 1992….”
Umahi interjected once more: “I would like an interpreter oh…”
Laila: “Effectively, you might have sufficient folks subsequent to you. The EIA Act of 1992 states that an EIA should be accredited by the Federal Ministry of Setting earlier than the graduation of any undertaking until an exemption has been given…”
Umahi countered the journalist once more, saying she was unsuitable in regards to the course of as, in line with him, there may be provision for preliminary and last approvals.
The journalist, nevertheless, insisted on understanding whether or not preliminary approval had been given for the undertaking to begin or whether or not there was an exception, to which Umahi, who appeared evasive, mentioned all the pieces was so as as they had been following the due course of on the freeway undertaking.
Nonetheless, reacting to the encounter between the duo within the viral video, many social media customers faulted the Minister of Works for selecting to trivialise an important matter with what they referred to as “dry jokes”, saying it amounted to lack of accountability on the a part of Nigeria’s political office-holders.
An X person and EndSARS activist, Rinu Oduala, with the deal with @SavvyRinu reacted by saying, “The standard of individuals at present operating the affairs of over 200 million folks in Nigeria may be very abysmal.”
One other person S.A.LA.Okay… with the deal with @UnkleAyo mentioned: “He’s DELIBERATELY making an attempt to make gentle of her query, elicit one or two laughs from the viewers earlier than retorting with a wishy washy response.”
Additionally, a person referred to as International, with the deal with @OkeyJames opined that, “Converse correct English with good pronunciation and a few Nigerians will suppose you might be doing oversabi. That’s how the minister is behaving on this video.”
For Ella Madu with the deal with @EllaMadu3, the Minister wouldn’t deal with a international journalist similar approach Laila was handled. He wrote: “Sister, don’t bend for anybody.
“How condescending can a public and authorities official be.
“I’m wondering if he can say the identical to worldwide journalists.
“Nobody cares the place you had been raised. Enhance your self so you may intellectually reply questions.”