Tinubu Revives Colonial-Era South-East Road Projects, Says Umahi

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is actualising major road projects in the South-East that were conceived during the colonial era but remained unfulfilled for decades.

Umahi made the disclosure on Saturday in Ebonyi State while leading senior journalists and government officials on an inspection tour of key infrastructure projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the minister, the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway represents one of the most strategic projects being implemented by the Federal Government, describing it as a long-abandoned dream that President Tinubu has brought back to life.

“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 revealed that Section One of the highway, initially planned as a 118-kilometre stretch, has been extended to 123.6 kilometres, with dualisation works progressing under a contract valued at ₦45 billion.
Umahi added that Section Two of the project, stretching from the Aboadi border through Benue and Kogi states to Nasarawa State, has also been awarded at a cost of ₦668 billion.

The minister noted that construction has attained about 28 per cent completion in some sections, with work continuing despite the rainy season due to the deployment of concrete road technology adopted by the Tinubu administration.

Describing the highway as more than a transportation project, Umahi said it would serve as an investment corridor capable of boosting trade in agricultural commodities such as cassava, yams, cashews and palm oil from Cross River, Benue and Ebonyi states, while strengthening connectivity with neighbouring Cameroon.

He further stated that the concrete road technology pioneered by President Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State governor is now being implemented across the country.

Expressing appreciation on behalf of the South-East, Umahi said the region had finally achieved the inclusiveness sought by previous generations.
“All our forefathers sought—inclusiveness—we have it now,” he said.

During the inspection, the delegation toured critical bridges along Section One of the superhighway and examined concrete pavement works on the Onueke axis. They also visited the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, linking Ugep in Cross River State, which is expected to be completed by December 2026.
Umahi also inspected the ₦35 billion Onueke Flyover project in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, designed to ease traffic congestion along the highway. The flyover stands 90 metres high and is complemented by a 2.2-kilometre access road on both sides.

Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru declared that the state remains the safest in Nigeria, claiming that no kidnapping incidents have been recorded since he assumed office.

Receiving the media delegation in Abakaliki, Nwifuru commended President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development in the South-East and supporting Ebonyi through his national renewal programme.

The governor highlighted ongoing and completed projects across the state, including rural roads, primary healthcare centres and water schemes.

“We have kept contractors busy in the state with projects spread across every local government area. We do not even view the road projects as a big deal because we have road projects scattered all over the state,” he said.

Umahi also disclosed that South-East governors and leaders are expected to gather in Abakaliki on Monday for a major rally to endorse President Tinubu for a second term in office.

He said Governor Nwifuru would lead Ebonyi residents at the rally in appreciation of the President’s interventions, urging citizens to disregard criticisms from opposition figures.

The national media tour was organised by the Hope Uzodimma-led Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team.

Led by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, the delegation is expected to continue its inspection of Renewed Hope projects in Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Imo states.