Southeast must appreciate Tinubu’s infrastructure push - Umahi
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on the people of the Southeast to be grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented federal road development
- …Minister says complaints about bad roads reducing in region
- By Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on the people of the Southeast to be grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented federal road development across the region.
Umahi made the call during an inspection of ongoing federal road projects in Enugu State, where he assessed progress and readiness for commissioning.
The minister said the reconstruction of the Enugu–Onitsha highway remains one of the most significant interventions by the current administration in the Southeast.
“This road is the most important route for the people of the Southeast. Before now, there were frequent tanker accidents and loss of lives, but that is becoming a thing of the past,” he said.
According to him, the 107-kilometre dual carriageway—totalling 214 kilometres—is being partly reconstructed using concrete to ensure durability.
“The fact remains that about half of it will be done on concrete. Even if asphalt fails, at least we will still have a solid portion of the road intact,” Umahi stated.
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He added that the project also includes solar-powered street lighting to improve safety along the corridor.
“The people of Southeast ought to be very grateful to Mr. President. We have never had it this good,” he said.
Reflecting on his time as governor, Umahi noted that such a scale of federal intervention was previously absent in the region.
“I was governor for eight years, and I cannot think of any federal road project of this magnitude in my state then. This is a different era,” he added.
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He described the projects as part of a nationwide infrastructure drive being executed without discrimination.
Umahi said the same construction standards used for projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway are now being replicated in the Southeast.
“There is no discrimination. The same quality you see elsewhere is what we are bringing here,” he said.
He urged the people of the region to be strategic in their engagement with the Federal Government.
“We need to be very careful. Some people pretend to help us but are actually inciting us against the government,” he cautioned.
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The minister stressed the need to support a government that is addressing longstanding infrastructural gaps.
“Let us allow this man who has started correcting the wrongs of the past to continue,” he added.
Umahi disclosed that a 15-kilometre stretch of the road would be opened to traffic before the end of March.
“By the 31st of this month, these 15 kilometres must be opened for traffic. That will be our Easter gift to the people,” he said.
At Abakpa Junction in Enugu, he also commended Governor Peter Mbah for supporting federal projects.
“I must thank the governor for his commitment. He assisted with compensation and relocation of critical infrastructure,” Umahi noted.
He acknowledged funding challenges but assured that steps are being taken to pay contractors.
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“You cannot push a contractor if you have not paid him. Once payments are made, work will accelerate,” he said.
The minister revealed that the administration inherited over 2,000 projects and a debt burden exceeding N13 trillion.
“We met a very difficult situation, but we are working through it and ensuring value for money,” he explained.
Despite the challenges, Umahi said road conditions across the country are gradually improving.
“Complaints about bad roads are reducing. That is the impact of Mr. President’s intervention,” he said.
He reiterated that the administration remains committed to connecting all parts of the country through quality infrastructure.
“We are committed, not distracted, and we will ensure that the right thing is done,” he concluded.
