The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has called on Nigerians, particularly residents of the South-East, to support President Bola Tinubu, citing the Federal Government’s ongoing infrastructure projects across the region.
Umahi made the appeal on Sunday while inspecting a section of the Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway in Abakaliki. The project is one of the Federal Government’s flagship road infrastructure initiatives.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of construction, saying the completed highway would improve transportation and strengthen connectivity between several geopolitical zones.
He said the road would significantly reduce travel time between the South-South, South-East and the Federal Capital Territory, estimating that motorists would be able to travel from the two southern regions to Abuja in about six hours.
According to Umahi, the project will promote commerce, attract investment and enhance regional integration.
He described President Tinubu as committed to equitable national development and urged Nigerians to support the administration’s infrastructure renewal programme.
“I want all of us to win together with President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming election,” he said.
Commending the contractors handling the project, Umahi said the quality and speed of construction reflected the administration’s commitment to modernising the country’s road network.
“I am happy with the ongoing projects and what the contractors are doing,” he said.
The minister also referred to former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, while defending the administration’s infrastructure record.
“That is why I asked my brother, Mr Peter Obi, to debate with me on what I am doing,” Umahi said.
He added that Obi declined the invitation, saying he was not a presidential candidate, but maintained that the government’s infrastructure projects should be assessed objectively by Nigerians.
“I told Peter Obi that I am on the ballot because when President Tinubu is on the ballot, I am also on the ballot,” he said.
Umahi stressed that continuity in government was necessary to ensure the completion of strategic infrastructure projects nationwide.
“I do not want these projects to stop. I want them to be completed. Therefore, I urge all Nigerians to support the President,” he added.
Earlier, the Acting Federal Controller of Works in Ebonyi State, Maxwell Oko, said the section inspected would link Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory.
Oko said the inspection took place at Kilometre 118 of Section One of the superhighway, noting that Section Two begins immediately after the location and extends for about 260 kilometres.
“This is not the end of the project. Section Two begins immediately after this point and stretches for about 260 kilometres,” he said.
He commended the Tinubu administration for expanding the country’s road infrastructure, describing the investment as critical to economic growth, improved mobility and national development.
“I commend the Federal Government under the administration of President Bola Tinubu for expanding Nigeria’s road infrastructure for the benefit of the nation,” Oko said.
