The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has dismissed recent claims alleging the marginalisation of the South East in federal road infrastructure projects.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, Mohammed Ahmed, Umahi described the publication by Linus Anagboso, popularly known as D-Big Pen, as “false, misleading, mischievous, and deceptive.”
The publication in question, titled “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the Southeast Missing from the Map?”, accused the federal government of neglecting the region in its road development agenda. However, Umahi insisted that the article deliberately distorted facts and called for an immediate retraction.
According to the minister, President Bola Tinubu has been equitable in the allocation of infrastructure projects across all six geopolitical zones, including the South East. He said that 90 percent of previously abandoned road projects — some dating as far back as 2013 — had been revived under the current administration, with new ones ongoing.
Umahi highlighted four major Legacy Projects that span all regions, including one stretching from Cross River through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa to Abuja. He noted that the 231.64-kilometre section passing through the Southeast had been awarded at N445.8 billion, a figure recently reaffirmed by the Federal Executive Council.
He criticised Anagboso for falsely describing the corridor as an Oyo-Benue road, accusing him of deliberately misleading the public.
The minister also listed key ongoing projects in the region, including:
- Second Niger Bridge Access Roads: Section 2A in Delta State (N146 billion) and Section 2B in Anambra State (N176 billion)
- Enugu-Onitsha Expressway (208 km), funded by MTN Tax Credit (N202 billion) and other contractors handling remaining sections (N150 billion)
- Sections of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, including Enugu–Abakaliki, Afikpo–Abia–Imo, Onitsha–Owerri–Aba, Aba–Ikot Ekpene, and Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene
Umahi called on residents of the South East to support President Tinubu and commended the governors of the region for their cooperation with the federal government. He encouraged the people to rally behind their governors as they seek re-election.
While assuring the region of continued inclusion in national development, Umahi stated, “One day, the South East will produce the president of Nigeria — but not in 2027.”
He reiterated his commitment to countering misinformation and ensuring the public is accurately informed.
