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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that the South East zone is receiving more federal attention under the present administration in the country.
Umahi said the zone has never received the attention it is currently receiving since the return of democracy in 1999.
He said the region is witnessing significant progress, particularly in infrastructure development and other critical sectors.
Umahi spoke, at the weekend, in his Abakaliki residence while receiving the people of old Ezeagu zone, led by Senator Julius Ucha, who paid him a thank-you visit.
The minister said the current administration has created opportunities for better inclusion of the South East in national development, urging the region to focus on progress rather than sentiment.
“Ndigbo should not play sentiment in supporting President Bola Tinubu, in 2027; by the grace of God, he will win his second tenure.”
He noted that while the region may not be leading in infrastructure development, it has moved significantly from years of neglect.
“The share we are getting from the administration of President Tinubu is huge, we may not be the first, but we are not the last. In the past, we were the last, we were forgotten, we were nothing, we had nothing.”
Umahi emphasised that supporting both the President and South East governors aligns with the region’s long-term interests.
He noted that the President assumed office at a challenging time and has remained focused on stabilising and growing the nation.
Highlighting the broader economic outlook, the minister said Nigeria is gaining global recognition for economic growth, with international institutions like the World Bank pointing to the country as an example of rapid development.
He also spoke against the sit-at-home actions in parts of the South East, stating that they negatively affect the people of the South East.
He commended the approach taken by Prof. Charles Soludo in Anambra State to fight the exercise.
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“The Biafra we are looking for is President Bola Tinubu because the issue was marginalisation; all those things we did not get before, we are getting them now.”
Umahi further said meaningful development, rather than agitation, remains the pathway to integration and progress for the region.
On governance and infrastructure, the minister praised the President’s commitment to continuity, noting that ongoing projects inherited from previous administrations have been sustained.
“No president has ever inherited and continued all the projects safe for this president.”
He also described his working relationship with the President as transparent and shared that he enjoyed working with the president.
“He has never asked me to give a contract to anybody or to put any money for anybody. Never.”
Earlier, Senator Julius Ucha thanked the minister for facilitating key road projects that are already impacting his community and others.
“It’s a difficult thing to construct roads, but we are eternally grateful to you for your love for us.”
Ucha recalled requesting the construction of the Ezillo–Ezeagu Road during the campaign period when the minister was governor and, now, the project has been awarded and speedily progressing.
He said the project received further backing from the Ebonyi State government, led by Governor Francis Nwifuru, who confirmed it as one of the administration’s early priorities.
The senator also mentioned the Enugu–Ozara–Nkanu–Agbani–Nkomoru–Isu Road via Ojiegbe, which he said has equally been awarded.
“We are eternally grateful to you for these consecutive roads… without those two roads, it will be difficult for us to move.”
Ucha said road construction remains one of the most demanding responsibilities of the government, and “we do not take the projects for granted”.
