Tinubu has turned Nigeria into massive construction site – Umahi

• Minister says President has ended South-East marginalisation

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said President Bola Tinubu has transformed Nigeria into a massive construction site, with major infrastructure projects ongoing across the country.

yUmahi also said the Tinubu administration had taken deliberate steps to end what he described as the longstanding marginalisation of the South-East and integrate the region more fully into the national development agenda.

The minister spoke on Saturday in Ebonyi State during an inspection tour of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway project.

He said President Tinubu was committed to inclusive governance and the development of infrastructure across all regions, adding that his appointment as Minister of Works was part of the President’s strategy to achieve his development objectives.

According to him, the scale of infrastructure development under the present administration was evidence that every part of the country was receiving attention.

“Aba–Ikot Ekpene, one carriageway, is completed and work is ongoing on the second carriageway. There are massive infrastructure projects going on in the South-East and everywhere in the country. The President has turned every state into a construction site,” he said.

Umahi commended the contractor handling the project, Infouest International, for the pace and quality of work, urging residents of the South-East to reciprocate what he described as the administration’s commitment to the region through their support for President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

He said he would continue to showcase the projects of the administration in the South-East and other parts of the country in order to counter what he described as misinformation among Nigerians who were not sufficiently aware of the government’s achievements.

“When Sokoto becomes very close to Ebonyi, when Calabar becomes very close to Kebbi, when the marginalisation of the South-East has become a thing of the past, should we not be bold enough to tell the story?” he asked.

Giving details of the project, the minister said the road, which runs from Ndibe Beach through Timber Shade, Onueke, the Ezza communities, Ezza South and Ezza North to Ebonyi Local Government Area, covers 125.5 kilometres.

He said some sections were being upgraded to dual carriageways, including an 8.9-kilometre realignment designed to bypass Afikpo.

According to him, although the first and second sections of the project were originally designed as single carriageways, the Federal Government was now designing additional carriageways to bring them in line with other legacy projects of the Tinubu administration.

Umahi also disclosed plans to beautify Abaomoge, including the construction of about two kilometres of dual carriageway around the town.

He said the Ezza people were among the biggest beneficiaries of the project, citing the planned construction of a major flyover in Onueke and another at Ukwuachi, as well as the Offia-Nwali flyover.

“The highest beneficiary of this project is the people of Ezza nation and I want to appreciate them for being appreciative because appreciation and gratitude are missing so much in our society,” he said.

The minister urged the people of the area to reciprocate the Federal Government’s interventions with political support, calling on them to give President Tinubu substantial votes in the 2027 election.

Umahi also clarified that Infouest International emerged as the contractor through a competitive bidding process, dismissing suggestions that the project was awarded to another major construction company.

On compensation for property owners whose buildings and other assets would be affected by the project, Umahi assured residents that the Federal Government would pay the affected persons, particularly those around the Ukwuachi axis.

He called for a review of the estimated N6 billion compensation requirement submitted to the ministry, saying the full amount could significantly affect funds available for the construction itself.

According to him, the ministry had already paid compensation in some areas, including Abaomoge, while the Ebonyi State Government had also paid compensation for properties affected by the Onueke flyover.

Umahi commended governors who had supported road projects by paying compensation, citing Ebonyi, Delta and Edo states among those that had contributed to the process.

He said the Federal Government had also paid N18 billion in compensation for projects in Lagos State and should be able to replicate such interventions in other parts of the country.

“They have done the enumeration which came to about N6 billion. If we pay N6 billion, we will not have money to build the road. So, I said they should review it and, as soon as they review it, within 72 hours, I will approve for them to be paid,” Umahi said.