The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged residents of the South-East to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented infrastructural transformation in the region, particularly in road construction and rehabilitation.
Umahi said many federal roads in the zone were death traps before President Tinubu assumed office, but are now receiving massive attention, with several projects completed and many others ongoing.
The minister spoke during a press briefing with journalists in Enugu on Saturday evening, with contractors handling various federal road projects in attendance.
Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, described President Tinubu as the “Biafra” that many people in the South-East have been agitating for, insisting that the President’s infrastructural interventions speak louder than political rhetoric.
“It is interesting to note that all the nightmares on the roads will come to an end. And who is the one doing it? President Bola Tinubu.
“Will we continue to say that South-East people should be very grateful to him because that which has been expected has come to pass.
“And for me, that’s the Biafra we’re looking for. And that is President Bola Tinubu. What he’s doing in the South-East, in fact, you need to open your eyes to see what he’s doing.
“But even if you are in darkness, you will definitely feel it because the roads are probably being paved,” he said.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government has banned mining activities within bridge corridors across the country to prevent structural damage and enhance public safety.
According to him, patrol boats will be deployed to enforce the ban around bridges, while two operational vehicles will be provided to the police for highway surveillance.
Umahi added that the Ministry of Works would support the maintenance of the vehicles with a monthly allocation of ₦3m.
Reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to safer highways, Umahi said CCTV cameras and solar lighting installations would be extended beyond bridges to cover federal highways nationwide.
“We have already commissioned CCTV installations at Tomei Land Bridge and the Second Niger Bridge.
“Our commitment in deploying solar light and CCTV to monitor the bridges and the surroundings is not limited to bridges. It is what we are going to have in all our federal highways,” he said.
He revealed that the CCTV project at Tomei Land Bridge alone cost ₦480m, describing it as part of broader efforts to improve road surveillance and security.
Providing updates on key road projects, Umahi said the 48-kilometre Asaba Heartland Road rehabilitation project, valued at $48bn, has recorded significant progress.
He explained that the road features reinforced concrete pavement and extensive drainage infrastructure.
“Mr President gave us an intervention fund of about ₦50bn, which we paid the contractor. We raised concerns about slow pace, but we are satisfied with the quality,” Umahi said, directing the contractor to introduce night shifts to speed up work.
The minister confirmed that China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation is handling the 17.5-kilometre bypass at a cost of ₦179bn, with 30 per cent payment already made.
He said the ministry plans to have 50 per cent of the project commissioned by President Tinubu by April 20.
Describing the Enugu–Onitsha road as “very troubling”, Umahi commended the President for reviving the long-neglected 107-kilometre dual carriageway.
He noted that the project, originally awarded to MTM under a tax credit arrangement valued at ₦202bn, had been de-scoped due to economic realities, adding that MTM has completed works worth about ₦50bn.
The first phase of the project, being executed by MTM, Nigercat and RCC, is expected to be completed by April 28, while solar lighting installation on the first five kilometres should be ready within two weeks.
Umahi expressed concern over delays by CCCC on the Second Niger Bridge bypass section, attributing them to inadequate supervision.
He said the ministry would issue a formal notice to the company, copying its bankers, demanding improved performance within 60 days or risk contractual sanctions.
He added that CCCC has completed 61 kilometres of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and is finalising additional sections.
Issuing a firm directive, the minister said, “No place in the country should asphalt be removed from our road again,” ordering new designs to include concrete shoulders and cement-stabilised stone bases to prevent premature failures.
Umahi disclosed that the Enugu-Ebonyi road is being reconstructed by the Federal Government, while the Enugu State Government is dualising part of the corridor from the airport junction to the state boundary.
The ₦180 billion project will be executed in phases, with the first phase expected to be completed this year and the second phase running into 2026.
He also mentioned the Bini-Asaba corridor, noting that the project is still at the conception stage, with a report and site visit expected before the end of the month.
Responding on behalf of stakeholders, the Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Community Engagement for the South-East, Mrs Chioma Nweze, praised the administration’s interventions, saying they have improved travel, boosted economic activities and restored federal presence in the region after decades of neglect.
She described the projects as transformative and thanked the President for renewing hope in the South-East.