WorldStage– The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has urged people of the South-East to demonstrate their loyalty and appreciation to President Bola Tinubu by supporting him with their votes in the 2027 general elections.
Umahi made the call on Saturday at Nwedeoga-Ndidenyi-Ishieke community, Ebonyi-Benue Border during an inspection tour on the sections of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway.
He commended the pace and quality of work on the projects, expressing confidence that the highways, when completed would transform transportation and strengthen connectivity across several geopolitical zones.
The inspected projects included the Section one and two of the Superhighway in Ebonyi, which links the state with Cross River, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the Isieke-Onueke-Calabar Highway.
The minister said the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration had impacted positively on the lives of Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones, particularly through the execution of major infrastructure projects.
According to him, the ongoing legacy projects being delivered by the Federal Government are evidence of the administration’s commitment to addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit and improving economic activities.
He urged residents of the South-East to acknowledge the efforts of the administration by supporting Tinubu at the polls in 2027.
“Let us show our loyalty and love to Mr President through our votes in 2027. The Renewed Hope Agenda has touched lives positively across the six geopolitical zones.
“We must appreciate what the President is doing and ensure that the projects and programmes of his administration are sustained,” Umahi said.
He explained that the road projects were designed, not only to improve transportation, but also to facilitate trade, boost agricultural activities, connect communities and enhance economic development.
“Yes, the first section covers about 125.5 kilometres, beginning from the Ndibe Beach axis and passing through communities including Akpoha, Abomege, Amudo and Onueke, as well as parts of Ezza North and Ebonyi Local Government Areas.
“Some portions of the alignment were being dualised to accommodate growing economic activities and urban development, citing the 8.9-kilometre stretch around Afikpo and a two-kilometre section at Abomege among areas receiving special attention.
“The Section two, which extends into Benue and other states, covers about 173.6 kilometres and it has a contract value of approximately ₦683 billion.
“The Federal government had already paid 30 per cent of the contract sum,” Umahi explained.
He noted that the inspection tour was aimed at assessing the level of work on the projects, identifying challenges and ensuring that contractors adhered to approved specifications and timelines.
The minister urged the people of Ebonyi and the wider South-East to continue to support projects capable of transforming the region, stressing that infrastructure development was essential to sustainable economic growth.
“The President has the intention to end the marginalisation of the South-East. We must stop attacking the legacy projects of the present administration. Show Tinubu appreciation through your vote.
“I am happy with the progress of work. Section two of the Ebonyi section of the Superhighway is 40 per cent complete, while 30 per cent of the contract payment has been made by the government.
“I commend some state governors, who have supported the settlement and payment of compensation to affected property owners at all the project sites across the country,” the minister said.
On procurement for project execution, Umahi said due process had been followed and urged citizens, who criticised the Federal Government to do so constructively and based on facts.
“All the federal road projects currently ongoing went through due process for procurement. I want those criticising the government to do so properly,” he advised.
Earlier, the Acting Federal Controller of Works in Ebonyi, Mr Maxwell Oko, explained that the Section two of the Superhighway would connect Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory.
Oko said the inspection took place at Kilometre 118 of Section one of the Superhighway project, which is currently under construction.
He explained that the construction of the section two had begun and would stretch for about 260 kilometres.
“This is not the end of the project. Section two begins immediately after this point and stretches for about 260 kilometres,” Oko explained.
