CEMENT MANUFACTURERS MUST REDUCE PRICES, TINUBU IS RETAKING NIGERIA — UMAHI The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has called on cement manufacturers across the country to immediately reduce the price of cement, insisting that the current cost of the product is placing pressure on ongoing infrastructure projects and increasing demands for contract variations. Umahi made the call while delivering keynote address at the official unveiling of the new corporate identity of Lafarge, now rebranded as HBM, a member of the HUAXIN Group, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel on June 21, 2026. Speaking before industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders, the Minister emphasized that the Federal Government would engage cement manufacturers from July 1 to address the issue of cement prices. “I want to insist that Lafarge now HBM and other manufacturers of cement should reduce their prices,” Umahi declared. “We shall be engaging on this from First of July. Manufacturer of Cement must reduce their prices because the contractors are chocking me to review their contracts. But nobody is reviewing anybody’s contract. It’s the manufacturers of cement that should review their cost.” The Minister noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is investing heavily in critical infrastructure across the country, creating unprecedented opportunities for manufacturers and investors. He urged HBM and other industry players to expand their capacity to meet the growing demands of the nation’s infrastructure revolution. Commending the company on its transition and renewed commitment to the Nigerian market, Umahi assured the management of government support and partnership. “I commend you very highly and I say welcome onboard and we are going to work together. The market is smaller than what the president is doing. So, enlarge your coast,” he said. The Minister used the occasion to highlight the remarkable progress being recorded under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the area of infrastructure development. He pointed to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as one of the evidences of the administration’s bold vision and commitment to national transformation. According to him, the quality and scale of the project have continued to attract global attention and admiration. “When the Dudge Bank came to evaluate our project, they said it was undervalued and that the project is of topmost quality. Today, Our neighboring nations are coming to steal the technology of the coastal highway.” Umahi expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for providing the leadership and political will driving the country’s infrastructure renaissance, assuring Nigerians that the administration remains firmly on course to restore national prosperity. “I want to use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and I commit that Mr. President is committed to retake this country. The President knows what he is doing. The vision and mission are achievable and we are on course and this country will be taken back for the good of Nigerians.”   ...

TINUBU’S INNOVATIVE LAGOS-CALABAR PROJECT ATTRACTS GLOBAL HONOUR AS FINANCIER WINS AWARD — UMAHI The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway is gaining international recognition, with one of its major financiers receiving a global award for supporting what he described as the innovative infrastructure vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking during the inspection of Section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway in Epe, Lagos State, on Friday, June 19, 2026, Umahi said the project has continued to draw admiration from international financial institutions, foreign governments and infrastructure experts because of its quality and strategic importance. According to the Minister, Deutsche Bank, which led the funding of 70 percent of Sections One and Two of the project, considered the highway undervalued when measured against the quality of work being delivered. “Deutsche Bank, which was the lead bank for the funding of 70% of Sections One and Two, said that Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway Project was undervalued. But the quality of the work is out of this world,” he stated. Umahi said the project has become a major attraction for international stakeholders seeking to understand the engineering standards being deployed on the coastal road. “People are coming. I’m told that the California Transport Minister is on this road today to look at it. Our neighboring countries are coming to look at the quality of the road, and they are trying to snatch HITECH from us. But we will fight. We will not agree,” he said. Highlighting the growing international profile of the project, Umahi revealed that First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), one of the financial institutions involved in funding the highway, was honoured at the ongoing IsDB Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, for its participation in the project. “Just this week, the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) that participated in the funding was given an award at the ongoing IsDBGroup Annual Meetings 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, for participating in this wonderful, innovative project of President Bola Tinubu. Go and Google it and check it out. They participated with 656 million US dollars, and they were given an award.  “This is something to rejoice about,” Umahi said. He noted that the recognition further validates the confidence of international investors in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal SuperHighway and reinforces President Tinubu’s commitment to delivering transformative infrastructure capable of driving economic growth and national development. While acknowledging the right of citizens to express differing opinions, the Minister urged critics to ensure their comments are guided by facts and a proper understanding of the project. “When people criticize the project, they have to know that it’s their right to criticize. But criticize constructively and be sure of what you are saying. Don’t darken counsel without knowledge,” he cautioned. Umahi also reaffirmed his commitment to accountability and diligent supervision of federal projects, stressing that his service is guided by faith in God, responsibility to the Nigerian people and loyalty to President Tinubu’s development agenda. “I put God first in all that I do. I put the people and I put the President first, and that is the line of commitment to this job. My Bible tells me that by fear of God, men depart from evil. “So I’m doing something in terms of supervision that tomorrow I will answer for, and also in heaven, I will answer to God Almighty.”   ...

UMAHI SHOWCASES FEDERAL PROJECTS IN EBONYI, SAYS SOUTHEAST IS GRATEFUL TO TINUBU AS EBONYI SET TO DEMONSTRATE ITS APPRECIATION TO THE PRESIDENT ON MONDAY The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, on Saturday, June 13, 2026 led a Federal Government delegation headed by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on an inspection of ongoing federal road projects across Ebonyi State, using the occasion to highlight what he described as the unprecedented infrastructure transformation taking place under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking during the inspection, Umahi showcased several strategic federal projects across the state and the Southeast, explaining that the region remains deeply grateful to President Tinubu for the tangible evidence of inclusion, fairness and development. At the Calabar - Abuja project sites, the Minister explained the strategic importance of a major flyover under construction along the Trans-Sahara Super Highway corridor. “Let me say that this is the point where the Trans-Sahara Route takes a bend. The essence of this flyover is to resolve the conflict at this point,” he said. According to him, the Federal Government has already made provision in the 2026 budget to connect the corridor directly to the Ebonyi State capital. “The road going to the capital city, which is 18km from this point, is included in the 2026 budget, and the Federal Government will undertake the connection to the city centre.” Umahi stressed that despite funding challenges, work would continue uninterrupted across project sites. “Of course, the contractor has not been paid, but we are creditworthy. All contractors being owed will be paid. There should be no stoppage of work because we want to see if we can commission this project by December. The cost is ₦25 billion.” The Minister described the projects as only a glimpse of what President Tinubu is delivering in the Southeast. “This is just the beginning. You will see remarkable projects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the South-East. When we talk about the gains of the South-East under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, some people who do not understand what we are talking about will continue to criticize us.” He declared that the people of the Southeast have taken notice of the President’s interventions and are prepared to openly express their appreciation. “The people of the South-East are very appreciative of what the President is doing. By Monday, under the leadership of the Governor of Ebonyi State, we will demonstrate this appreciation when we adopt the President as our sole candidate and, of course, the Governor.” Umahi was emphatic about the region’s political direction. “Let it be known that Ebonyi State is not obedient because we want to catch up with the rest of the country, and we will never be obedient. What happened before was an accident of history. It will not repeat itself.” The Minister also provided updates on the flagship Trans-Sahara Super Highway, revealing that a ₦668 billion contract has already been awarded and construction is progressing steadily despite the rainy season. “The project is about 28% completed. We are not stopping because of the rains. Work continues, especially with President Bola Tinubu’s concrete road technology.” Tracing the history of the corridor, Umahi said the project was originally conceived during the colonial era but remained unrealized for decades. “We presented the concept to the President, a man divinely called to do the impossible. What was once a colonial dream is now being realized more than sixty years later.” He described the highway as a critical economic route that will connect Nigeria to neighbouring countries while unlocking agricultural and industrial opportunities across the country. “The President is fulfilling that vision, and I am very happy because this is a major trade corridor. It connects us to Cameroon and serves as a transport route for rice-producing areas in Cross River, Benue, and Ebonyi States.” Highlighting the broader economic vision behind the President’s infrastructure agenda, Umahi said the four legacy projects of the Tinubu administration are far more than roads. “As I have always said, the four legacy projects of Mr. President are not merely road construction projects; they are investments.” Drawing comparisons with advanced economies, he explained that infrastructure investment remains one of the most effective tools for stimulating economic growth. “Infrastructure investment is critical. In countries such as the United States, whenever there is an economic downturn, governments invest heavily in roads and bridges because such investments stimulate growth across other sectors of the economy. That is exactly what the President is doing.” He further pointed to visible projects already completed or nearing completion across Ebonyi and neighbouring states, including major bridges, flyovers, dual carriageways and the Dangote Tax Credit Road Project. “We are grateful to the President and pleased with the work being done by our Governor.” Reaffirming the Southeast’s support for President Tinubu, Umahi said the region now sees clear evidence of inclusion in federal infrastructure investments. “The South-East has been included. Inclusiveness, fairness and equity are what we have always sought, and today we can point to tangible evidence of that inclusion.” The Minister also noted that having a Minister of Works from the Southeast has helped ensure the region’s needs receive the attention they deserve. “Without a Minister of Works from the South-East, we might not have secured all that has been achieved.” He added: “We can proudly say that while we may not be the first beneficiaries of federal road investments, we are certainly no longer the last.” Providing updates on President Tinubu’s four signature legacy projects, Umahi highlighted progress on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja Corridor and other strategic national routes. According to him, the administration’s infrastructure programme is designed to create jobs, support agriculture, expand regional trade, attract industries and unlock new economic opportunities nationwide. “The four legacy projects are investments designed to transform the Nigerian economy.” He explained that plans along the corridors include dams, irrigation systems, power infrastructure, agricultural settlements, housing developments, factories, hotels and renewable energy facilities. “The benefits are extensive and include both direct and indirect employment opportunities for Nigerians.” The Minister ended with a strong endorsement of President Tinubu’s leadership. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, God brought you. God will continue to guide and preserve you. We stand with you for the years ahead.” Addressing contractors handling federal projects in the state, Umahi reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to quality and durability. “The moment you do not execute the work properly, it will be obvious. If you do it well, it will reward you. The method is the same, the principle is the same, and the quality is the same. We are using Grade 40 concrete.” He revealed that the 51-kilometre Okposi-Ohaozara-Ukawu-Cross River road project, valued at ₦53 billion, is nearing completion, with one section already over 90 percent completed and another at about 60 percent completion. The Minister further disclosed that the Federal Government has included the extension of the road to Akam in the 2026 budget, where the newly approved South-East Army Depot is located. He added that additional contractors are already working along the Enugu axis and that a new flyover has also been planned at Okposi to improve traffic flow and enhance connectivity in the area. ...