Tinubu reviving decades-old South-East infrastructure dreams – Umahi

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said President Bola Tinubu is delivering strategic road projects in the South-East that were conceived during the colonial era but abandoned for decades.

Speaking in Ebonyi State during an inspection tour of major federal infrastructure projects with senior journalists and government officials, Umahi described the ongoing Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Abuja Trans-Saharan Superhighway as one of the most significant legacy projects under the Tinubu administration.

According to the minister, the project, which cuts across the South-East, South-South and North-Central regions, is reviving a long-abandoned vision aimed at improving connectivity, trade and economic integration.

“It is a colonial-era dream long forgotten, but President Tinubu has revived it, and construction is now underway. We must thank him immensely,” Umahi said.

He disclosed that Section One of the highway, initially designed as a 118-kilometre stretch, has been expanded to 123.6 kilometres and awarded at a cost of ₦45 billion, with dualisation work already progressing.

Umahi further revealed that Section Two, stretching from the Ebonyi border through Benue and Kogi states to Nasarawa State, has been awarded for ₦668 billion.

The minister noted that construction has attained about 28 per cent completion in some segments, with work continuing despite the rainy season due to the deployment of concrete pavement technology.

Describing the economic significance of the project, Umahi said the superhighway would serve as a major investment and agricultural corridor, facilitating the movement of produce such as cassava, yam, cashew and palm oil while strengthening trade links between Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon.

“The Trans-Sahara Superhighway is not just a road; it is an investment corridor that will catalyse economic growth and regional integration,” he said.

Umahi also expressed appreciation on behalf of the South-East, stating that the region now enjoys a greater sense of inclusion in national infrastructure planning.

“All our forefathers sought, inclusiveness, we have it now,” he added.

During the inspection tour, the delegation visited several key infrastructure projects, including major bridges along Section One of the superhighway, the Onueke concrete pavement section, and the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, which links the state to Cross River and is expected to be completed by December 2026.

The team also inspected the Onueke Flyover, a ₦35 billion project designed to ease traffic congestion in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District.

Umahi explained that the flyover features a 90-metre-high structure and is complemented by a 2.2-kilometre access road on both sides.

The delegation further assessed the completed concrete pavement road linking communities in Ebonyi and Cross River states, a project aimed at improving interstate connectivity and boosting economic activities.

Meanwhile, Governor Francis Nwifuru commended President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development in the South-East and supporting ongoing projects across Ebonyi State.

Nwifuru said his administration had embarked on numerous development projects across all local government areas, including road construction, primary healthcare facilities and water supply schemes.

“We have kept contractors busy in the state with projects spread across every local government area. Road projects, health centres and water schemes are ongoing across the state,” the governor said.

He also maintained that Ebonyi remains one of the safest states in the country, claiming there had been no reported cases of kidnapping since he assumed office.

The inspection formed part of the National Media Tour organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team.