The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is addressing South-East marginalisation through inclusive governance and large-scale infrastructure projects.
Umahi said the President’s decision to appoint him as Works Minister was deliberate and reflected the administration’s commitment to bringing the region closer to the centre of national development. He spoke during an inspection of ongoing construction on the Cross River-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government had begun arrangements to compensate property owners affected by the highway project. According to him, the government would take responsibility in areas where state governments were unable or unwilling to provide the required compensation. Umahi said the decision followed Tinubu’s directive that compensation should not become an obstacle to strategic road projects.
He noted that compensation had already been paid to some affected property owners, including residents in Abaomege. He also commended Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru for paying compensation for properties affected by the Onueke flyover.
“There was this policy of the Federal Government in the past administration that we will do the roads while governors pay compensation.
“Graciously, Ebonyi Governor paid compensation at Onueke for that flyover and I thank him very seriously for that. Not all the governors accepted to make that sacrifice,” he said.
Umahi said the Federal Government subsequently decided to intervene where necessary to prevent compensation disputes from delaying road construction. He disclosed that N18 billion had been paid in compensation in Lagos State to accelerate major road projects.
“So, why will it come to this area and we will not do the same thing? I can assure that we will pay,” he said.
The minister disclosed that about N168 million had also been paid as compensation at another affected location. He said compensation would be provided for properties affected by the proposed Ukwuachi flyover and the road connecting the area to Benue State. However, an initial enumeration of affected properties produced an estimated compensation bill of about N6 billion. Umahi said the figure was too high considering the funds available for construction. He therefore directed officials to review the valuation.
“They have done the enumeration which came to about N6 billion. If we pay N6 billion, we will not have money to build the road,” he said.
He added that once the review was completed, approval would be granted within 72 hours for payment. The minister said timely compensation would help prevent disputes and ensure that construction progressed without unnecessary delays.
Umahi also highlighted the wider economic and security benefits expected from the superhighway. He said the project would improve connectivity between communities, facilitate commerce and strengthen security along the corridor.
“My task is to expose the realities of our situation in South-East under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Umahi said.
“Look at the beautiful roads we are passing through. Do you think about the security improvement on this corridor? Do you think about the economic viability on this corridor? Do you think about the commerce?”
He argued that the scale of ongoing infrastructure projects demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to development across the country.
“When Sokoto becomes very close to Ebonyi, when Calabar becomes very close to Kebbi, when the marginalisation of South-East has become a thing of the past, should we not be bold enough to tell the story?” he asked.
Umahi listed the Aba-Ikot Ekpene road among major projects being executed in the region. He said one carriageway had been completed, while construction continued on the second.
The minister said the administration’s infrastructure programme had effectively turned several states into construction sites. According to him, the section of the superhighway from Ndibe Beach through Timber Shade, Onueke, Ezza South and Ezza North to Ebonyi Local Government Area covers about 125.5 kilometres.
Some portions are being upgraded to dual carriageways, including an 8.9-kilometre realignment designed to bypass Afikpo town. He said the second carriageway was also being designed to connect with other legacy projects of the Tinubu administration. About two kilometres of the Abaomege section, he added, was being dualised to improve the town’s appearance and economic significance.
Umahi described the Ezza people as major beneficiaries of the infrastructure programme. He cited the ongoing Onueke flyover and proposed Ukwuachi flyover among the projects expected to improve transportation in the area.
He urged residents to support the Federal Government’s infrastructure initiatives. The minister said the first section of the superhighway would run for about 123.5 kilometres from Cross River through Ebonyi to the Benue boundary. The second section, measuring about 168 kilometres, would pass through Benue, parts of Enugu and Kogi before terminating at Wote in Nasarawa State and connecting to Abuja.
Umahi said completion of the project would significantly improve transportation, strengthen security and expand commercial opportunities along the corridor. He maintained that the scale of the projects was evidence of the administration’s effort to make South-East marginalisation a thing of the past through infrastructure and broader national integration.
