Umahi Hails Tinubu’s N1.5trn Infrastructure Drive, Says South-East Not Marginalized
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for what he described as unprecedented investment in road infrastructure across the South-East, saying the region is currently benefiting from federal projects worth over N1.5 trillion.
Speaking on Monday, Umahi dismissed claims of marginalization under the Tinubu government, insisting that the President is committed to equitable development and national inclusion.
“President Tinubu does not want to know where you come from. He is treating everybody nicely. The South-East might say they did not get a lot of appointments, but the position of Minister of Works is equivalent to five grade A ministers,” Umahi said.
He argued that unlike in previous administrations, where the region had several political appointments without visible results, the current government has prioritized tangible infrastructure.
Among the key projects he listed are the N350 billion Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Second Niger Bridge Access Roads (Anambra) worth N174 billion, Ebonyi–Benue Trans-Sahara Road valued at N456 billion, and ongoing works on Port Harcourt–Aba Road (86 km), Aba–Umuahia Dualisation (56 km x2), Umuahia–Lokpanta Road (6 km), and Lokpanta–Enugu Dualisation (61 km x2).
Other projects include the N183 billion Enugu–Abakaliki Dualisation, the Afigbo–Uturu–Okigwe Road (N193 billion) under the Dangote Tax Credit Scheme, and multiple flyovers and bridges in Enugu and Abakpa.
Umahi further noted ongoing interventions in Onitsha and Owerri, where roads affected by erosion are being reconstructed. “We’ve already mobilized contractors there. The President has awarded the project,” he said.
On the question of inclusion, he highlighted that the South-East also holds a key national security position — the Chief of Naval Staff — in the current administration.
“We have no reason not to be grateful to the President,” Umahi concluded.
The Minister’s remarks are seen as part of the federal government’s broader effort to build trust across regions and dispel fears of political exclusion, reinforcing President Tinubu’s vision of inclusive governance.