Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has said that several major road infrastructure projects in the South-East, originally conceived during the colonial era but left abandoned for decades, are now being implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Umahi made the remarks on Saturday in Ebonyi State while leading senior journalists and government officials on an inspection tour of ongoing Federal Government projects across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Mr. Tunde Rahman, the minister highlighted the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway as one of the administration’s flagship infrastructure projects aimed at transforming economic activities across multiple regions of the country.
Describing the project as a long-forgotten vision, Umahi said the highway was initially conceived during the colonial period but never materialised until the current administration revived and commenced its implementation.
“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 stated.
The minister explained that Section One of the highway, initially planned as a 118-kilometre stretch and later expanded to 123.6 kilometres, is currently being executed at a cost of N45 billion.
He noted that dualisation works on the section are progressing steadily and are expected to significantly improve connectivity between states within the South-East and South-South regions.
Umahi further disclosed that Section Two of the project, which extends through Benue and Kogi states to Nasarawa State, has been awarded at a cost of N668 billion.
According to him, construction activities on portions of the section have already achieved approximately 28 per cent completion.
The minister attributed the steady pace of work to the adoption of concrete road technology by the Federal Government, which allows construction activities to continue despite heavy rainfall and challenging weather conditions.
“The Trans-Sahara Superhighway is not just a road; it is an investment corridor that will catalyse trade in agricultural produce such as cassava, yam, cashew and palm oil from Cross River, Benue and Ebonyi, while also connecting Nigeria to Cameroon,” he said.
Umahi described the project as a strategic economic corridor that would facilitate regional integration, improve transportation efficiency, and create new opportunities for trade and investment.
He also expressed appreciation on behalf of the South-East region, praising President Tinubu for what he described as a commitment to inclusiveness and equitable infrastructure development.
During the inspection exercise, Umahi was accompanied by the Acting Federal Controller of Works in Ebonyi State, Maxwell Okoh, and the Project Manager of Infiouest International Limited, Mohammed Mustafa.
The delegation inspected major bridges, concrete pavement sections, and other infrastructure components associated with the superhighway project.
Among the facilities visited was the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge located in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, which links the state with neighbouring Cross River State.
Officials disclosed that the bridge project is expected to be completed in December 2026.
The team also visited the N35 billion Onueke Flyover project in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, a major transportation infrastructure designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve vehicular movement along the corridor.
In addition, the delegation inspected a completed concrete-pavement link road connecting several communities in Ebonyi and Cross River states.
Meanwhile, Governor Francis Nwifuru commended President Tinubu for the ongoing infrastructure projects in the South-East, describing them as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to national development and regional inclusion.
Receiving members of the media delegation in Abakaliki, the governor said his administration has continued to execute development projects across all local government areas of the state.
According to him, investments have been made in road construction, primary healthcare facilities, water projects, and other critical sectors aimed at improving the welfare of residents.
“We have kept contractors busy in the state with projects spread across every local government area, from rural roads to primary health centres and water schemes,” Nwifuru said.
The governor also maintained that Ebonyi remains one of the safest states in Nigeria and reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and development.
Umahi further revealed that governors and political leaders from across the South-East region are expected to gather in Abakaliki on Monday for a rally in support of President Tinubu’s second-term bid.
According to the minister, Governor Nwifuru will lead the people of Ebonyi State at the event as a demonstration of appreciation for the President’s support and infrastructure investments in the region.
The National Media Tour is being organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team.
The South-East inspection follows a similar assessment tour of Federal Government projects in the North-West geopolitical zone.
After completing activities in Ebonyi, the delegation is expected to continue its inspection tour in Enugu, Abia, Anambra, and Imo states to assess infrastructure projects being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
