Umahi: South East Not Marginalized in Road Projects

Abuja – August 5, 2025

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed claims that the South East geopolitical zone is being sidelined in federal road construction efforts, asserting that the region is receiving a fair share of infrastructure development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Umahi made this known while directing all regional directors of the Federal Ministry of Works to return to their respective project sites across the country and compile comprehensive reports on both inherited and newly initiated road projects.

“I have directed all the regional directors of the Federal Ministry of Works back to sites in all the regions across the country to compile all inherited but ongoing projects and all new projects so that Nigerians will appreciate the huge works that Mr. President is doing in all the regions — irrespective of those who voted for him and those who did not,” he stated.

According to the minister, this move is aimed at showcasing the Tinubu administration’s commitment to equitable infrastructure development and debunking narratives of regional neglect.

“President Tinubu is ensuring fair distribution of infrastructure as a means to reunite the country and restore citizens' hope. Only those who open their eyes will see the light of change taking place in Nigeria,” Umahi added.

South East Among Beneficiaries of Major Projects

Addressing reports alleging exclusion of the South East, Umahi pointed to several major ongoing road projects in the region. He noted that the Tinubu administration had already disbursed N108 billion out of the approved N445.8 billion for the ambitious Cross River–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja superhighway project.

He criticized misinformation surrounding the project, particularly the attempt to mislabel the corridor as the "Oyo–Benue Border Road."

“What the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved on July 31, 2025, was the review of the corridor from 118km to 231.64km at a cost of N445.8 billion. Some individuals are deliberately twisting the facts to mislead the public,” Umahi clarified.

He also highlighted that 90 percent of previously abandoned federal projects—some dating back to 2013—have now been revived and are in progress.

Ongoing Projects in the South East

Key road projects currently underway in the South East include:

Second Niger Bridge Access Roads
- Section 2A (Delta State) – N146 billion
- Section 2B (Anambra State) – N76 billion
Enugu–Port Harcourt Road (in four sections)
Enugu–Abakaliki Road
Afikpo–Abia–Imo Road
Onitsha–Owerri–Aba Road
Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road
Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road

Umahi Urges South East to Support Tinubu

Umahi appealed to people of the South East to acknowledge the president’s efforts and rally behind his administration.

“I urge the South East to rise in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has shown genuine love and fairness to our region. We must not be misled again. Mr. President deserves up to 90 percent of our votes to strengthen this partnership,” he said.

“Enough of misinforming our people. It’s time we educated them with the truth,” he added.