…insisting that President Tinubu’s administration has treated all regions, including the South East.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has dismissed as false and misleading a recent publication alleging that the South East has been excluded from the Federal Government’s road infrastructure development plans.
Reacting to the article titled “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South East Missing from the Map?”, Umahi described the report as “mischievous and deceptive,” insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has treated all regions, including the South East, with equity in road infrastructure development.
The minister’s response was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed.
Umahi called for an immediate retraction of the article, stating that it was designed to mislead Nigerians.
He explained that the Tinubu administration has revived nearly 90 per cent of previously abandoned road projects, some dating as far back as 2013, while continuing to award new projects across the country without regional bias.
He also disclosed that four strategic “Legacy Projects” had been approved by President Tinubu to span the six geo-political zones.
According to Umahi, one of these key projects – a 231.64-kilometre superhighway stretching from Cross River through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa to Abuja, includes a substantial portion within the South East region and has been awarded at a cost of ₦445.8 billion.
He further clarified that the recent review of the project’s corridor length by the Federal Executive Council maintained the contract sum despite changes in measurement, and accused a certain Anagboso of deliberately misrepresenting the project as an “Oyo-Benue” road in an attempt to mislead the public.
Key Projects in the South East
Umahi highlighted several major federal road projects currently underway in the South East, including:
• The Second Niger Bridge Access Roads, with Section 2A in Delta State valued at ₦146 billion and Section 2B in Anambra State at ₦176 billion.
• The Enugu-Onitsha Expressway (208 km), partially funded with ₦202 billion through the MTN Tax Credit Scheme, while the remaining segments are being handled by CBC at a cost of ₦150 billion.
• The Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, divided into four critical sections: Enugu–Abakaliki, Afikpo–Abia–Imo, Onitsha–Owerri–Aba, Aba–Ikot Ekpene, and Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene.
Umahi praised the governors of the South East for their support of the Federal Government’s infrastructure agenda and called on the region’s citizens to rally behind them as they work towards securing second terms in office.
‘Presidency Not in 2027, But One Day’
On the political future of the South East, Umahi acknowledged the aspirations of the region to produce Nigeria’s president, but stated that such ambition would not materialize in 2027. He urged patience, unity, and continued support for the Tinubu administration, which he described as “just and inclusive.”
The minister concluded by reaffirming his commitment to exposing and countering any attempts to spread disinformation or falsely portray the government’s record.
