Tinubu has changed South-East development narrative, says Umahi

...... Acknowledges past complaints of marginalisation by the people of the South-East.

.... Urges them to recognise the infrastructure projects being executed by the Tinubu administration while continuing to demand more development.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Wednesday said President Bola Tinubu had changed the development narrative in the South-East through the Federal Government’s ongoing infrastructure projects across the region.

Umahi spoke in Abuja when bishops and archbishops of the Methodist Church from the South-East, led by the Methodist Archbishop of Anambra State, Most Rev. Vincent Onoh, paid him a courtesy visit at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works.

The minister acknowledged past complaints of marginalisation by the people of the South-East but urged them to recognise the infrastructure projects being executed by the Tinubu administration while continuing to demand more development.

“Yes, I agree that in the past there was so much marginalisation of the Igbo everywhere, not just the South-East, but President Bola Tinubu has changed the narrative,” Umahi said.

He listed the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, Enugu-Onitsha corridor, Enugu-Abakaliki Road, Eke-Obinagu Flyover and the Second Niger Bridge among projects he said would transform transportation and economic activities in the region.

According to him, the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road was undergoing reconstruction after years of poor condition, while the Eke-Obinagu Flyover had eased traffic congestion in the area.

Umahi also said the Federal Government was rehabilitating the First Niger Bridge following concerns over its condition, adding that the project was expected to be commissioned on Wednesday.

He said the bridge would have solar lighting and CCTV surveillance when completed.

The minister further disclosed that two sections of the proposed highway linking Calabar through Ebonyi, Benue, Enugu and Kogi to Abuja, covering about 330 kilometres, had been awarded and paid for by the Federal Government.

Umahi said the project, when completed, would drastically reduce travel time between the South-East and Abuja.

“Those from Enugu can join at Nsukka Axis, and then they will now be in Abuja within three hours. For those of us in Ebonyi, we can be in Abuja within four hours,” he said.

The minister urged South-East residents to support the administration while demanding more projects, arguing that political sentiments should not prevent Nigerians from acknowledging development.

“We can be looking for more. I agree. We can demand more so that we can meet up with the past marginalisation, but it shouldn’t make us not be appreciative,” he said.

Umahi also said the South-East had not supported Tinubu at the 2023 presidential election as much as it should have, but maintained that the President had nevertheless demonstrated commitment to the region through infrastructure development.

“We didn’t vote for the President as we should, and he’s doing all these things for us,” he said.

He called on church leaders to help educate the people, particularly young Nigerians, about the infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Federal Government.

The minister said he planned to tour the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to sensitise Nigerians on the projects and their potential economic benefits.

He added that the government's infrastructure spending should be regarded as an investment capable of creating jobs, improving security, reducing travel time and stimulating commercial activities.

“We are borrowing to put in infrastructure, and this infrastructure, it is an investment,” Umahi said.

He also defended his position against the argument that government should simply conserve public funds, saying resources should be deployed to projects capable of generating economic value.

The minister stressed that his position was not motivated by opposition to the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whom he described as a close friend.

“I am not against Peter Obi. He is my very close friend. I sent him a birthday message, and he sent me one during my own,” he said.

Umahi said the Federal Government's objective was to create economic corridors around major infrastructure projects, rather than merely construct roads.

“When we finish, then we will now build infrastructure along the corridor. Nigeria will never be the same again,” he said.

Meanwhile, Onoh commended Tinubu and Umahi for what he described as their contributions to infrastructure development in the South-East and Nigeria.

The archbishop specifically praised the progress on the Niger Bridge, saying the project was about 90 per cent completed.

“The work on the Niger Bridge is 90 per cent done,” Onoh said.

He said the Methodist delegation visited Umahi to appreciate his contribution to infrastructure development and announced that the church planned to embark on a prayer and sensitisation programme across Awka, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states.

Onoh said the programme would focus on encouraging people to return to God and strengthen the spiritual foundation of society.

He also recalled Umahi's record as governor of Ebonyi State, saying his impact remained visible.

The archbishop said the church would have conferred a traditional title on Umahi if it had such a practice, describing him as “Olu Atugwu 1” in recognition of his infrastructure-related activities.

He prayed for wisdom and strength for the minister as he continues to oversee federal road and bridge projects across the country.