Umahi urges southeast leaders to promote Tinubu’s projects, inaugurates Enugu–Onitsha road section
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on Thursday urged political leaders in the Southeast to be more proactive in publicising the infrastructure efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that
- From Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on Thursday urged political leaders in the Southeast to be more proactive in publicising the infrastructure efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that silence undermines support for the administration.
Umahi made the call during the inauguration of the first 15 kilometres of the reconstructed second lane of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, a major transport corridor in the region. He stressed that leaders must not only support the president but also communicate ongoing projects and achievements to the people.
“We need to be vocal about what the president is doing for us. You cannot say you are supporting the president when you cannot boldly tell our people what he is doing for the Southeast,” he said.
The minister described the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway as the most strategic road in the Southeast, noting that before the current administration's intervention, the road was in a deplorable condition, forcing commuters to spend over seven hours on a journey that should take far less time.
He explained that the project was initially awarded under a tax credit scheme involving a telecommunications firm and executed by RCC, but had suffered prolonged delays before President Tinubu’s intervention.
According to Umahi, upon assuming office in 2023, he drew the president’s attention to the project's state, prompting swift action. He said the president not only accelerated the work but also approved a redesign of key sections using reinforced concrete technology, similar to that deployed on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Providing project cost details, Umahi disclosed that one section retained its original contract value of N202 billion, while an additional 72-kilometre stretch was redesigned at an estimated cost of N150 billion, bringing the total investment to over N350 billion.
He added that the first 15 kilometres of the reinforced concrete lane is about 97 per cent complete, explaining that its early inauguration aimed to ease traffic congestion before the Easter period.
The project, he noted, reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to improving critical infrastructure and enhancing economic activities across the Southeast.
“The president directed that this section be opened so that our people will not suffer during Easter. That is why we are here today,” he said.
Beyond the Enugu–Onitsha corridor, Umahi listed several ongoing federal road projects across the Southeast, including sections of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge bypass, and other key inter-state routes. Many of these are being upgraded to durable concrete pavements expected to last between 50 and 100 years.
He argued that the scale of infrastructure development in the region under the current administration demonstrates a deliberate effort to end the Southeast's perceived marginalisation.
“For the first time, Southeast is not left behind. The marginalisation we are talking about is over. It may not be 100 per cent, but the president has just begun,” Umahi said.
The minister also pointed to other “legacy projects” such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and a proposed 465-kilometre corridor linking Calabar to Abuja through several states, noting that parts of these projects extend into the Southeast.
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He further disclosed that additional works, including solar-powered street lighting and tree planting along the Enugu–Onitsha route, have been approved to enhance safety and aesthetics.
On the political front, Umahi urged Southeast leaders to adopt a strategic approach by supporting President Tinubu, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We must be strategic. We should not support the president in silence. Leaders must meet and collectively proclaim what the president is doing for us,” he said.
He maintained that the region stands to benefit more by aligning with the current administration, adding that such support would strengthen the Southeast’s chances in future power negotiations.
“Governance is about development, infrastructure, fairness, equity, and justice. When we appreciate what he has done for us, he will do more,” Umahi added.
The minister also assured that all completed sections of the road project would be opened promptly to traffic, revealing that contractors had been given timelines to ensure swift delivery.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to completing the entire Enugu–Onitsha Expressway reconstruction by 2026, expressing confidence that the project would significantly improve travel time, safety, and economic activities in the region.
