By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has declared that the people of the South-East must overwhelmingly support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections or risk losing the momentum of massive federal infrastructure projects currently transforming the zone

Umahi stated this on Wednesday during an extensive inspection tour of ongoing federal road and bridge projects across Ebonyi State, where he led journalists round strategic highway corridors, flyovers and bridge constructions being executed under the administration of President Tinubu.

The minister described the projects as unprecedented in the history of the South-East, insisting that no previous administration had committed such scale of investment to the region.

He particularly showcased the ongoing Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, which he identified as the third legacy project of the Tinubu administration.

According to him, the section running from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the boundary between Ebonyi and Benue states spans about 123 kilometres and is being constructed with reinforced concrete pavement and solar-powered street lighting at a cost of approximately N454 billion.

Umahi disclosed that President Tinubu had already released 50 per cent funding for the project, while additional approvals were being processed for the dualisation of critical segments of the corridor.

“This project is part of the 465-kilometre Calabar to Abuja corridor. What we procured initially was a single carriageway of 12 metres, but because of the strategic importance of the route, we are now procuring the second carriageway,” he said.

The minister explained that section two of the project, stretching about 178 kilometres from the Ebonyi-Benue boundary through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states to Oweto Bridge, carries a contract value of N685 billion.

He commended construction giant InfoWest for deploying massive equipment and simultaneously working on multiple sections of the corridor, describing the quality and speed of work as satisfactory.

Umahi also inspected the flyover project at Onueke being handled by Age-Link, expressing confidence that the contractor would complete foundation works before the end of May and deliver the entire project before December.

“At timber shed, we are cutting through hills and dangerous valleys that have claimed many lives over the years. We are dualising the roads to 25 metres width, and this is what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is known for; doing the impossible,” he stated.

The minister further inspected the ongoing Ndibe Bridge project, which he said consists of 19 spans of about 30 metres each and would eventually connect the South-East to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

He noted that innovative beam-launching technology and specialised cranes were being deployed on the bridge project due to the difficult terrain and water currents.

While acknowledging funding challenges faced by contractors, Umahi said the Federal government remained committed to meeting its financial obligations.

“The President has assured us that all contractors owed will be paid. Today, there is hardly any state in Nigeria without a construction site under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

In a strongly political remark, Umahi warned that communities benefiting from federal projects should reciprocate through electoral support for the President in 2027.

“Last time, Afikpo people did not vote for APC. If they want this bridge completed, I will require 100 per cent of the votes. I am not asking for 99 per cent,” he declared.

According to him, no senator or individual politician possesses the financial capacity to undertake projects of such magnitude outside federal intervention.

“Only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can build these roads and bridges. Past politicians used this bridge as campaign promises, but this President came and started the work without making noise about it,” he added.

Umahi argued that the South-East had regained strategic relevance in Nigeria under the Tinubu administration, citing his appointment as Minister of Works and the scale of federal infrastructure projects spread across the region.

“We shouted marginalisation before, but today no ministry is bigger than the Ministry of Works, and it is being headed by an Igbo man. The President has integrated the South-East into the mainstream of Nigerian politics,” he said.

The minister urged South-East political leaders and stakeholders to publicly support the President and enlighten the people on the administration’s achievements.

“I challenge all leaders supporting the President to speak out openly. Our people need to hear the truth about what this administration is doing in the South-East,” he stated.

Umahi also defended the Federal government’s borrowing policy, saying loans were necessary to finance durable infrastructure capable of lasting for decades.

“The total value of ongoing legacy and heritage projects under this administration is about N34 trillion. When people ask why we are borrowing, tell them it is because of projects like these,” he said.

He stressed that the reinforced concrete technology being deployed on federal highways would eliminate the need for major reconstruction for up to 100 years.

Speaking further, Umahi inspected the 61-kilometre Amasiri–Uturu–Okigwe road project being executed under the Dangote Tax Credit Scheme at a cost of N193 billion.

He disclosed that the road had been abandoned for years due to severe erosion and failed sections before the Tinubu administration revived it.

“For the past three years, nobody could pass through this route. We had gullies of four to six metres deep inside the carriageway. Today, high-tech construction firms are back on site and work is progressing steadily,” he said.

The minister projected that substantial portions of the project would be completed before the end of the year, while assuring that the Federal government would continue expanding road infrastructure across the South-East.

He further appealed to South-East voters to “reign with wisdom” and avoid sentiments during the next election cycle.

“This election is not lottery. Presidency is not won by sentiments but by strategic planning. We must support the President to complete these projects and secure greater opportunities for the South-East,” Umahi said.

The former Ebonyi State governor maintained that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated uncommon commitment to infrastructure, security, education, healthcare and youth empowerment, insisting that the region stood to benefit more through sustained collaboration with the Federal government.

“We will shock the nation in Ebonyi State because we will deliver 95 per cent of our votes to President Tinubu. The last election outcome was an accident of history and it will not repeat itself,” he declared.

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