2027: Tinubu will not abandon any projects – Umahi insists 

By, Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

The Minister of works, David Umahi has insisted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not abandon any projects after his eight years tenure.

Umahi disclosed this to newsmen while inspecting ongoing work on the superhighway, one of the flagship infrastructure projects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The minister said the Federal Government had resolved to take responsibility for the payment of compensation to affected property owners in areas where state governments were unable to do so.

He said the decision was taken after President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Works to ensure that compensation issues did not frustrate the implementation of critical road projects.

Umahi explained that the Federal Government had already paid compensation to some affected property owners, including those in Abaomege, while Ebony State Government had also paid compensation for properties affected by the Onueke flyover.

He commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for making the payment, noting that not all state governments had been able to make similar commitments.

“There was this policy of the Federal Government in the past administration that we will do the roads while governors pay compensation,” Umahi said.

“Graciously, Ebony 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.”

According to him, the Federal Government subsequently decided to take over the payment of compensation in some areas following resistance by some governors.

The minister said the government had also paid about N18 billion in compensation for affected properties in Lagos State to fast-track construction of major road projects.

He said a similar approach would be adopted along the Cross River-Abuja superhighway where necessary.

“We paid N18 billion in Lagos State. 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.

Umahi disclosed that about N168 million had already been paid in another affected location, while compensation would also be paid for properties affected by the planned Ukwuachi flyover and the road linking the area to Benue State.

He, however, said the initial enumeration of affected properties and structures had produced a compensation figure of about N6 billion, which he considered too high in relation to the available funds for the road construction.

He directed that the valuation should be reviewed to ensure that the compensation was realistic and would not jeopardise the construction of the road.

“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.

So, I said they should review it and as soon as they review it, within 72 hours, I will approve for them to be paid,” he said.

The minister said the payment of compensation was necessary to prevent disputes and delays that could affect the delivery of the project.

The first section of the superhighway stretches about 123.5 kilometres from Cross River through Ebony to the Benue boundary, while the second section,

Measuring about 168 kilometres, has been awarded and will run through Benue, parts of Enugu and Kogi before terminating at Wote in Nasarawa State and linking Abuja.

Umahi said the project would significantly improve transportation, security and commercial activities along the corridor when completed.