Minister Lists ₦445.8bn Legacy Projects, Blasts Misinformation Over Regional Exclusion
The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi, has strongly refuted claims that the South-East is being marginalised in the federal government’s road and bridge infrastructure projects under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a personally signed press statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, Umahi described as “wrong and misleading” a viral social media publication titled “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South-East missing from the map?” by one Mr. Linus Anagboso, popularly known as D-Big Pen.
According to the Minister, the publication is part of a politically motivated campaign of misinformation aimed at inciting the public and distorting the significant progress being made under President Tinubu in road construction nationwide.
“Politics is now in the air, and some people’s chosen path is to deceive gullible members of the public, look good before their people as one fighting for them, and close both eyes over the great and selfless infrastructure development Mr. President is doing all over the nation,” Umahi said.
He stated that President Tinubu has demonstrated fairness in the allocation of road projects, irrespective of political affiliation or voting patterns, and has adopted a policy of equitable distribution to unite Nigerians and renew their hope.
Highlighting key projects, Umahi noted that the South-East is fully captured in one of the President’s four legacy projects — the 465km x2 Cross River–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–FCT corridor. Of this, the South-East covers over 231km, with ₦445.8 billion already committed and ₦108 billion disbursed.
“What happened at the Federal Executive Council on July 31, 2025, was a review of that corridor, yet the writer mischievously misrepresented it to incite Nigerians,” Umahi added.
The Minister also referenced several other massive projects ongoing in the region, including:
The Second Niger Bridge access roads (₦146 billion in Delta and ₦176 billion in Anambra)
The 208km Enugu-Onitsha Road under the MTN Tax Credit Scheme (₦202 billion)
Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway (in four sections)
Enugu–Abakaliki, Afikpo–Abia–Imo, Onitsha–Owerri–Aba, and several other connecting highways
Umahi urged the people of the South-East to rally behind President Tinubu, whom he said has shown “love and fairness” to the region, warning against falling prey to divisive politics.
“Mr. President must have the votes of the South East up to 90% to cement this relationship. Enough of darkening council without knowledge,” Umahi said, adding, “If we want to be President, we must avoid the politics of hate, misinformation, and sentiments.”
He emphasized that the current administration has revived over 90% of previously abandoned road projects, some dating as far back as 2013.
In a call to unity, Umahi encouraged the South-East to support Tinubu’s second term ambition and avoid being misled again. “Never again shall we be deceived!” he said.
The Minister also commended South-East governors for their developmental strides and support of the federal government, urging citizens to back their re-election efforts as well.
