Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said the South-East remains grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented federal infrastructure investments in the region, declaring that Ebonyi State would on Monday formally demonstrate its appreciation by adopting the President as its sole candidate for the 2027 election.
Umahi made the remarks on Saturday during an inspection of ongoing federal road projects in Ebonyi State alongside a Federal Government delegation led by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Speaking at project sites along the Calabar-Abuja corridor, the minister highlighted strategic infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Federal Government and said the administration had shown commitment to inclusiveness, fairness and development.
Explaining the significance of a flyover under construction along the Trans-Sahara Super Highway corridor, Umahi said: “Let me say that this is the point where the Trans-Sahara Route takes a bend. The essence of this flyover is to resolve the conflict at this point.”
He disclosed that the Federal Government had already made budgetary provisions to link the corridor to the Ebonyi State capital.
“The road going to the capital city, which is 18km from this point, is included in the 2026 budget, and the Federal Government will undertake the connection to the city centre,” he said.
Despite funding constraints, Umahi assured contractors that government remained committed to meeting its obligations.
“Of course, the contractor has not been paid, but we are creditworthy. All contractors being owed will be paid. There should be no stoppage of work because we want to see if we can commission this project by December. The cost is ₦25 billion.”
The minister said the projects represented only a fraction of ongoing federal interventions in the region.
“This is just the beginning. You will see remarkable projects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the South-East. When we talk about the gains of the South-East under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, some people who do not understand what we are talking about will continue to criticize us.”
According to him, the region was prepared to publicly express support for the President.
“The people of the South-East are very appreciative of what the President is doing. By Monday, under the leadership of the Governor of Ebonyi State, we will demonstrate this appreciation when we adopt the President as our sole candidate and, of course, the Governor.”
Umahi also spoke on the political direction of Ebonyi State.
“Let it be known that Ebonyi State is not obedient because we want to catch up with the rest of the country, and we will never be obedient. What happened before was an accident of history. It will not repeat itself.”
Providing updates on the Trans-Sahara Super Highway, the minister disclosed that a ₦668 billion contract had already been awarded.
“The project is about 28% completed. We are not stopping because of the rains. Work continues, especially with President Bola Tinubu’s concrete road technology.”
Tracing the project’s origins, Umahi said: “We presented the concept to the President, a man divinely called to do the impossible. What was once a colonial dream is now being realized more than sixty years later.”
He described the highway as a major economic corridor connecting Nigeria with neighbouring countries.
“The President is fulfilling that vision, and I am very happy because this is a major trade corridor. It connects us to Cameroon and serves as a transport route for rice-producing areas in Cross River, Benue, and Ebonyi States.”
Umahi argued that infrastructure investment was central to economic growth.
“As I have always said, the four legacy projects of Mr. President are not merely road construction projects; they are investments,” he said.
“Infrastructure investment is critical. In countries such as the United States, whenever there is an economic downturn, governments invest heavily in roads and bridges because such investments stimulate growth across other sectors of the economy. That is exactly what the President is doing.”
He also highlighted completed and ongoing projects across the region, saying: “We are grateful to the President and pleased with the work being done by our Governor.”
Reaffirming support for the administration, he added: “The South-East has been included. Inclusiveness, fairness and equity are what we have always sought, and today we can point to tangible evidence of that inclusion.”
The minister further stated: “Without a Minister of Works from the South-East, we might not have secured all that has been achieved.”
“We can proudly say that while we may not be the first beneficiaries of federal road investments, we are certainly no longer the last.”
Umahi said the administration’s four legacy projects were designed to transform the economy.“The four legacy projects are investments designed to transform the Nigerian economy.”
He added that the projects would support agriculture, housing, industries and power infrastructure.“The benefits are extensive and include both direct and indirect employment opportunities for Nigerians.”
Offering prayers for the President, Umahi said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, God brought you. God will continue to guide and preserve you. We stand with you for the years ahead.”
Addressing contractors, he warned against substandard work.
“The moment you do not execute the work properly, it will be obvious. If you do it well, it will reward you. The method is the same, the principle is the same, and the quality is the same. We are using Grade 40 concrete,” he said.
He disclosed that the 51-kilometre Okposi-Ohaozara-Ukawu-Cross River road project valued at ₦53 billion was nearing completion, while an extension to Akam had been captured in the 2026 budget.
Additional contractors, he said, are already working along the Enugu axis, while a new flyover has been planned for Okposi.
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