David Umahi, Minister of Works, has urged the Southeast to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting the President has shown rare commitment to the region through massive investments in infrastructure.
Umahi, who spoke to journalists on Sunday evening at Ninth Mile Corner, Enugu State, during his inspection of the dualisation of the Enugu-Benue highway, declared that the Tinubu administration has “remembered the Southeast” and deserves overwhelming support.
“I want our people to embrace Mr. President with two hands,” Umahi said. “This section alone, if you multiply by two, is close to 200 kilometers of road. We have every reason to thank him, to support him, and to be wise. We cannot engage with sentiments; we must engage based on realities.”
Read also: Lagos commences 7-day repair work on Ozumba Mbadiwe Road
The Minister insisted that Tinubu has given the region a fair share of projects, adding, “President Bola Tinubu has remembered the Southeast very well. I am your son, I am the Minister of Works, and I am working. Glory be to God Almighty.”
Umahi, who began the inspection in Benue State, said he was impressed with the quality of work by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the contractors handling the 528-kilometre road, but urged them to accelerate work on the Enugu axis.
“Two of the sections fall in Enugu State, about 90 kilometers. We have seen the progress, and comparing it with the Benue section, China Harbour only needs to speed up more, to put more effort. But the quality of work is the same, and very commendable,” he said.
Umahi disclosed that the highway project, which stretches across five sections, is estimated at $1 billion (₦1.5 trillion). Sections one to three fall within Benue, while sections four and five lie in Enugu. He noted that Section 3 leads in terms of progress, followed by Section 1, while Sections 2, 4, and 5 need to catch up.
“I came ready to quarrel but found nothing to complain about,” he told reporters. “What I saw today has convinced me China Harbour is delivering quality work. The MD has really improved the company’s performance, and we are happy with the results.”
At Abakpa Junction, Enugu, Umahi revealed that President Tinubu had approved the completion of the outstanding 72 kilometres of the highway on rigid concrete pavement, awarded to SKCC Construction for ₦150 billion.
“By tomorrow, the concrete laying begins 8 inches thick with strong reinforcement. This is Asiwaju standard,” Umahi declared. “We want a road that will last 100 years, a legacy for generations to come.”
The Minister also directed consultants and supervisors to remain on site to ensure proper monitoring of materials, specifications, and workmanship. “There is no way one controller can supervise all sections. Every section must have an engineer’s representative for effective oversight,” he said.
Umahi concluded by stressing that Tinubu’s record in the Southeast is unmatched and urged the people of the region to ignore critics. “They had the opportunity but did nothing. Today, God has brought a man who is delivering. We must be wise, we must support him, because he that started a good work has been ordained by God to finish it,” he added.
Read also: Anambra senator laments deplorable state of Onitsha roads, urges the FG urgent intervention
Chioma Nweze, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Southeast Community Engagement, praised Umahi for ensuring that the zone is carried along in the national scheme of things. She listed the Trans-Saharan highway, the Enugu–Onitsha road, the Onitsha–Owerri road, and the Enugu–Port Harcourt road as part of the renewed hope agenda in the Southeast.
“This is the endpoint of the road starting from Benue to Enugu, and in this state, we have about 30 percent of the project,” she explained. “We thank the Honourable Minister for ensuring that Southeast is not left out. We also thank Mr. President for giving us a seat at the table.”
Jason Wang, Managing Director of CHEC, assured that the company would act on Umahi’s instructions. “Along the road, His Excellency gave us a lot of advice. We have taken note in detail and will speed up our work. I believe that after one year, travel time on this route will be much shorter,” he said.
