…Backs Gov Nwifuru
By Abraham Ovuoba
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has declared that the South-East remains firmly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because of his massive infrastructure projects across the region, just as Ebonyi people stand solidly behind Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
Sen. Umahi, in the company of a presidential delegation led by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Chief Bayo Onanuga, made the declaration during the inspection of ongoing federal road projects in Ebonyi State on Saturday.
Umahi assured contractors that outstanding payments would be settled and urged them to sustain the pace of work to meet the December 2026 completion target, stressing that the projects would boost economic growth and national integration.
He said flagship projects, especially the Trans-Sahara Super Highway and other strategic road corridors, have strengthened the federal government’s presence in the South-East and justified the planned endorsement of President Tinubu and Governor Francis Nwifuru for the 2027 elections.
The minister described the 123.5-kilometre Ebonyi section of the Trans-Sahara Highway as a legacy project for trade and regional integration, adding that the Abuomege axis of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway had been expanded from 118 to 153.6 kilometres at a cost of N445 billion, with about 28 per cent completion.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East), Barr. Chioma Nweze, praised the President for prioritising infrastructure in the region, citing the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, Enugu–Onitsha Road, Enugu–Abakaliki Highway and other strategic projects.
Acting Federal Controller of Works in Ebonyi State, Engr. Maxwell Oko, said the flyover project, with its 2.2-kilometre approach roads, would ease traffic and enhance the movement of agricultural produce and mineral resources.
Managing Director of AgeLink Group, Ogbuefi Elekwachi Akpa, said the company had made substantial progress despite not receiving mobilisation funds from the Federal Government.
Other projects inspected include the 123.5-kilometre Ebonyi section of the Trans-Sahara Highway, the Abuomege axis of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway, the N193 billion Dangote Tax Credit Road linking Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states, Ndibe Beach Road, the Enugu–Abakaliki dual carriageway, Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, Enugu–Onitsha Road and the Ishiagu–Uburu–Okposi–Ugwulangwu–Ugep corridor.
