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.
1.8km Loko – Oweto Bridge To Boost Economic Activities In Nigeria Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, has said that completion of the 1.8km Loko -Oweto Bridge in Nasarawa and Benue States will boost economic activities in Nigeria. He said this when he was on an inspection tour of the bridge construction site over the weekend. According to Fashola, the Loko- Oweto Bridge being a major strategic transport road connecting the Northern part of the country and all those coming from the Eastern part would develop into a vital economic route inclusive of transportation of agricultural produce. Fashola also said that the Oweto part of the bridge is in Benue state while Loko is in Nasarawa state, noting that the bridge would reduce the long hours that were normally spent on journeys from the East to the Federal Capital as well as the Northern part of the country. “This is a major impact on business reducing the cost of time and improving the ease of doing business,” Fashola said. The Minister, while stating that the Loko- Oweto Bridge also crosses River Benue disclosed that work was currently going on at the Second Niger Bridge. According to Fashola, the two major bridge interventions done by the Buhari administration would improve national integration, bring further co-existence and interaction among Nigerians. Walking on the bridge with journalists, Fashola said street lighting was a feature added to the bridge. He mentioned that the Ministry had to ensure the communities were connected to electricity for it to achieve the street lighting of the bridge, saying it has given the communities the privilege of enjoying electricity which they had lacked before the intervention on the road and bridge began. Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, urged the Managing Director of Messrs Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited (RCC), Nabeel Esawi, to employ a method that would fast track the completion and timely delivery of the link roads between Loko and Oweto to the bridge. The Federal Controller of Works , Nasarawa State, Engr. Taiwo Wasiu who conducted the Ministers and journalists round the bridge said that the Ministry would do the needful to make sure the bridge was completed and delivered at the right time. On behalf of the Loko community, the Emir of Loko, Alhaji Ahmed Sabo Umar, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the construction of the bridge and road network. He said that the bridge would enable his subjects to transport their farm produce safely to other communities as against paddling of canoes which was hazardous to their lives previously. He said that the bridge and road network had linked his community with other parts of the country, noting that motorists ply the route daily as construction was on-going. ...
Fashola Hands Over Road To Federal Polytechnic Offa The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has handed over to the authorities of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State a 2.23 kilometres road in the institution which was rehabilitated by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on behalf of the Federal Government. The Minister who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works Kwara State, Engineer Wasiu Kunle Atitebi affirmed the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to bridge the gap in the infrastructural needs of the nation through the repairs, renewal and construction of roads on the highways and schools. Fashola observed that good roads would undoubtedly improve the condition of learning in schools which would translate into greater quality education. The Minister disclosed that there were forty three of internal road intervention projects in tertiary institutions across the country out of which eighteen had been completed. Earlier, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Dr. Lateef Ademola commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the advancement of Nigeria by ensuring that internal roads in higher Institutions of learning were rehabilitated and provision of assistance to Institutions oflearning through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND)and other relevant bodies. He also appreciated the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Rji Fashola, SAN for his positive disposition towards the completion of the project. He said the road had subjected the staff and students of the Institution to excruciating pain in the past due to its deplorable condition. The Rector promised to ensure that the road was properly maintained by the Works department of the Polytechnic. In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Intitution, Chief Oseloka Zikora said the road was vital to the Polytechnic in many ways, adding that its rehabilitation had saved the Staff and students of the Institution from some health hazards suffered in the past due to the profuse inhaling of dust before it was rehabilitated. The Students Union Leader of the Polytechnic, Abiola Azeez Babatunde expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing for removing the suffering of the students who according to him passed through a lot of stress in the past while passing through the road. ...
FG Shuts Alaka Bridge Linking Eko Bridge In Lagos For Emergency Repairs The Federal Government on Tuesday night shut the Alaka Bridge linking Eko Bridge in Lagos for repairs to prevent its total collapse, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN reports that officials from both Lagos State Ministry and Federal Ministry of Works and their Transportation counterparts converged on the bridge at about 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday for the emergency closure. The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, told NAN in a telephone interview, that the emergency closure was to prevent total collapse of the bridge. “We are all here closing the Alaka to Costain portion of the Eko Bridge because some bearings are bad. “We just discovered that the bearings are broken and we are here to shut it down for the safety of motorists. “We are shutting it down now so that we can carry out full investigations on the extent of damage to the bearings to begin the repairs,’’ Kuti said. He explained that only Alaka flyover portion from Alaka to Costain section of the Eko Bridge was bad but from Costain Bus stop area beside the National Theatre is in good condition. The Controller said that the traffic regulatory agencies were on ground to ensure that impact of gridlock as a result of the closure was minimized when commuters use the road on Wednesday morning. He advised motorists going to Lagos Island to connect the Eko Bridge through the service lane at Alaka through Iponrin to Costain Bus Stop area to connect the bridge. He also advised use of the National Theatre, as alternative route to connect the Eko Bridge on the other side. (NAN) ...
DRIVING NIGERIA’S FUTURE: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY MILESTONE
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MID -TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS (NCW) DAY 1
MID -TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS (NCW) DAY 1