Tinubu Reviving Colonial-Era South-East Road Dreams – Umahi
Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is bringing back to life major road projects in the South-East region that were conceived during the colonial era but abandoned for decades.
Umahi made the statement on Saturday in Ebonyi State during an inspection tour of infrastructure projects under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He described the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway as one of the strategic projects being revived by the present administration.
The former Ebonyi State governor said the highway was a long-forgotten colonial-era vision that would now serve as a major economic corridor linking the South-East, South-South and parts of North Central Nigeria.
“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 project, initially designed to cover 118 kilometres, has been extended to 123.6 kilometres, with a contract value of N45 billion, while dualisation work is ongoing.
According to him, Section Two of the highway, stretching through Benue and Kogi States to Nasarawa, has also been awarded at a cost of N668 billion, with construction progress recorded in several areas.
Umahi said the project had reached about 28 per cent completion in some sections, adding that work has continued despite the rainy season due to the adoption of concrete road technology.
He explained that the superhighway would boost trade and agriculture by improving the movement of products such as cassava, yam, cashew and palm oil from Cross River, Benue and Ebonyi States, while also strengthening connectivity with Cameroon.
The minister also praised President Tinubu’s introduction of concrete pavement technology, noting that the method was being applied to road projects across the country.
He said the South-East appreciates the President for addressing years of perceived infrastructural neglect, stating, “All our forefathers sought—inclusiveness—we have it now.”
During the inspection, Umahi and other officials visited major infrastructure sites, including bridges along Section One of the highway, the Onueke concrete pavement project, and the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The minister added that the Onueke Flyover, valued at N35 billion, was designed to reduce congestion along the highway. The project includes a 90-metre-high flyover and 2.2-kilometre access roads on both sides.
Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru said the state remains the safest in Nigeria, claiming there had been no reported kidnapping incident since he assumed office.
Nwifuru commended President Tinubu for his infrastructure projects in Ebonyi and highlighted ongoing developments in rural roads, primary healthcare centres and water schemes across the state.
South-East governors and leaders are expected to gather in Abakaliki on Monday for a rally to endorse President Tinubu for a second term in office. Umahi said the event would serve as an appreciation of the President’s efforts in the region.
The media tour, organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team, is led by presidential aides including Bayo Onanuga and Sunday Dare. The delegation will continue its inspection of projects across Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Imo States.
