Tinubu Administration is to Equity in Infrastructure — Umahi Defends Southeast Projects

The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. Nweze David Umahi, has debunked claims circulating on social media alleging that the South East region is being sidelined in the federal government’s road infrastructure agenda.

In a statement signed by Senator Umahi on Sunday, he dismissed as “wrong and misleading” a viral publication by one Mr. Linus Anagboso (D-Big Pen) titled “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South East missing from the map?” He described the publication as a calculated attempt to misinform the public and distort the realities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s infrastructural investments across the country.

“I understand that politics is now in the air and the chosen path by some persons is to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, look good before the people as one fighting for them and close both eyes pretentiously over the great and selfless infrastructure development Mr. President is doing all over the nation,” Umahi stated.

He noted that he had directed all regional directors of the Federal Ministry of Works to return to their respective project sites across the country to compile records of both inherited and new projects. “Mr. President is using fair distribution of infrastructure to reunite Nigerians and renew their hope, and only those who open their eyes will see the light of change in Nigeria,” he said.

Umahi emphasized that the South East is well captured in one of President Tinubu’s four Legacy Projects. “Mr. President has four (4) Legacy Projects, and they cover the six geo-political zones with the South East region well captured within the third Legacy Project of Cross River-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja, totaling 465km x 2 with South East covering 231.64km x 2 and 231.64km x 1 for ₦445.8 billion already awarded and work is going on. Mr. President has already paid ₦108 billion.”

He further clarified that what was approved at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of July 31, 2025, was a review of the project corridor from 118km x1 to 231.64km x1, not the renaming of the project as suggested in the misleading article. “This misleading writer chose to change the narrative of my press briefing after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of Tran Sahara Section 1 (Ebonyi state to Benue border – 123.64km at ₦445.8 billion) but deliberately chose to call it Oyo-Benue Border road to deceive and incite unsuspecting members of the public.”

He demanded that the author correct the misinformation immediately, “even if he fails to apologize.”

Umahi questioned the author’s silence on ongoing and revived projects in the region, especially those abandoned for years. “Where was the writer when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR decided to treat South East fairly in road infrastructure like other regions? Under his administration, 90% of abandoned projects, some awarded as far back as 2013, were all revived, and all are now ongoing.”

Among the projects highlighted were the 2nd Niger Bridge access roads — Section 2A in Delta State valued at ₦146 billion and Section 2B in Anambra at ₦176 billion — as well as the Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway (208km) valued at ₦202 billion under the MTN Tax Credit Scheme and ₦150 billion under CBC, of which ₦45 billion was recently released. He also listed the Enugu–Port Harcourt road (in four sections), Enugu–Abakaliki, Afikpo–Abia–Imo road, Onitsha–Owerri–Aba road, Aba–Ikot Ekpene road, and Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene road, among others.

He called on people of the South East to rise in support of President Tinubu, whom he said has shown fairness and love for the region. “We must not be deceived again. Mr. President must have the votes of South East up to 90% to cement this relationship. Enough of darkening counsel without knowledge in the South East,” he said.

“If we want to be president, we must avoid the politics of hate, misinformation, and sentiments. We must support other regions, and with God, one day, other regions will support us. Mr. President must be supported to complete his tenure of 8 years, which all regions are benefitting from. One day, we will be number one, but not in 2027,” he declared.

Senator Umahi praised the South East governors for their collaboration and urged the people to continue supporting them and the President. “I commend our leaders who are the South East Governors for their support and the great works they are doing for our people. I want our people to please support them along with our dear President for their second tenure in their respective offices.”