‘Tinubu treating S-East region with fairness, equity – Works minister, Umahi insists

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The Minister of Works, David Umahi on Monday said that the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is treating the South East region with fairness and equity in roads and bridges infrastructure development in the country.

Umahi made this known in a statement that he personally signed and issued to newsmen in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State.

The Nations News reports that the Minister, Umahi was reacting to an alleged misleading statement in social media by one Mr Linus Anagboso (D-Big Pen) Captioned: “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South-East missing from the map?”  

The statement reads in part: “I understand that politics is now in the air and the chosen path by some persons is to deceive some members of the public, look good before her people as one fighting for them and close both eyes pretentiously over the great and selfless infrastructure development Mr. President is doing all over the nation.

“I have directed all ministry of works regional directors back to sites in all the regions across the country to compile all inherited but ongoing projects and all new projects in all the regions so that Nigerians will appreciate the huge works that Mr. President is doing in all the regions irrespective of those that voted for him and those that did not. 

“Mr president is using fair distribution of infrastructure to reunite Nigerians and renew her hope and only those who open their eyes will see the light of change in Nigeria.

“In addressing specifically this misleading information and for record, Mr. President has Four (4) Legacy Projects, and they cover the six geopolitical zones with South-East region well captured within the Third Legacy project of Cross River-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja 

totalling 465km x 2 with South-East covering 231.64km x 2 and 231.64km x 1 for ₦445.8 billion already awarded and work is going on. 

“Mr president already paid ₦108 billion. What happened in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of 31/7/2025 was a review of that corridor from 118kmx 1 to 231.64km x1 for ₦445.8 billion. 

“This misleading writer chose to change the narrative of my press briefing after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of Tran Sahara Section 1 (Ebonyi state to Benue border – 123.64km at ₦445.8 billion but deliberately chose to call it OYO-BENUE BOARDER ROAD to deceive and incite Nigerians.

Umahi, however, demanded for an apology from the author of the said misleading statement, “I demand that he corrects the information immediately even if he fails to apologize. 

“Where was the writer when President Tinubu GCFR decided to treat South-East fairly in road infrastructure like other regions. Under his administration, 90% of abandoned projects, some awarded as far back as 2013 were all revived and all are now ongoing. 

“Where is the appreciation on huge ongoing works on the 2nd Niger Bridge access road 2A in Delta State which is valued at ₦146 Billion  and 2B in Anambra State which is valued at ₦176 Billion,  the Enugu-Onitsha Road -208km ( MTN Tax Credit which is valued at ₦ 202 Billion.

“The CBC completing remaining section ₦150 Billion of which  ₦45 Billion was released last week), Enugu – Port Harcourt Road in four sections , Enugu-Abakaliki, Afikpo-Abia-Imo road, Onitsha-Owerri-Aba, Aba-Ikot Ekpene, Umuahia to Ikot Ekpene etc .

“I request the South -East people to rise in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR because he has demonstrated love and fairness to the people of South-East. We must not be deceived again. Mr. President must have the votes of South-East up to 90% to cement this relationship. 

“Enough of darkening council without knowledge in South-East. We must rise to educate our people. If we want to be president, we must avoid the politics of hate, misinformation and sentiments. We must support other regions and with God one day other regions will support us. 

“Mr President must be supported to complete his tenure of 8 years which all regions are benefitting from. One day we will be number one but not in 2027.

“I will vocally continue to stand against any mischief to deceive our people. We are known for hard work and love and not hate.

“I commend our Leaders who are the South -Eastern Governors for their support and the great works they are doing for our people. I want our people to please support them along with our dear President for their second tenure in their respective offices” the statement noted.