Umahi: No building must be touched on Calabar-Abuja highway alignment .... Says "No rainbow coalition in Ebonyi."

.... Orders contractors to work around structures pending route review

.... Reveals that Section Two costs N683bn, covers 173km.

Nigeria's Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed contractors handling the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway not to demolish or touch any building along the current project alignment pending a review of the route and possible realignment by the Federal Government.

Umahi gave the directive during an inspection of Section Two of the superhighway at Ado, Benue State, where he also ordered contractors to accelerate work on the 173-kilometre section valued at N683 billion. Section One of the project is valued at N454 billion. 

The minister said the contractor handling Section Two had opened the first element of the initial eight-kilometre stretch, while efforts were ongoing to resolve an engineering challenge around the Ado Bridge.

He directed the contractor to open another section from the Ado River while engineers work on the best solution for the bridge crossing, stressing that he does not believe in engineering that anything is impossible.

Umahi also directed the contractor to open at least three sections of the first element simultaneously to accelerate construction, saying he would personally engage the project manager to agree on the technical and practical steps required.

The minister commended the contractor for the progress recorded since his previous inspection, saying he was satisfied with the improvement.

On structures along the route, Umahi said the human impact of the project must be considered before any demolition is contemplated.

“My directive is that no building should be touched. Even if it’s within the alignment, I have to come and realign it. So you just have to continue your work and go around those buildings until we come to look at it,”

He equally directed that sharp curves along the highway be strengthened, irrespective of what was contained in the original design, stressing that engineering realities on major infrastructure projects could require adjustments.

Umahi explained that the project was being executed under an EPC Plus Finance arrangement, under which variations were not provided for, making careful management of quantities and resources necessary to avoid additional costs to the Federal Government.

The minister further disclosed that additional works were being undertaken under Section One, including the dualisation of the road at Onueke, which he said was outside the initial scope, as well as the dualisation around Chainage 0 at Ndibe Beach.

Rainbow coalition in Ebonyi

The inspection also provided an opportunity for Umahi to respond to political developments in Ebonyi State, where he dismissed suggestions of a “rainbow coalition” involving him and other political interests.

Umahi insisted that Ebonyi remained aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. His comments followed questions about his relationship with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and reports of a political structure linked to the broader Rainbow Coalition in the state. 

“If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me. And his candidate cannot break our relationship, but his candidate is not part of our relationship. There is no rainbow coalition in Ebonyi State,” he said.

He said politicians were free to campaign in the state but warned against hate speech and activities capable of provoking crisis.

“Anybody that wants to campaign, come and campaign. But don’t dish out hate speeches…”

Speaking on insinuations that some persons are working towards fomenting trouble in Ebonyi state, the Minister stressed that “Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi State.” 

Umahi also revisited his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, alleging that despite the South-East's support for the party over the years, it failed to adequately recognise the region's interests.

“We supported PDP. We voted for presidents in PDP. And when it was our time for them to honour us, they did not honour us. They maltreated us,” he said.

Addressing questions as to the concentration of FG's projects in the southeast, Umahi stated that "Tinubu projects not for Southeast alone" 

The Works Minister also rejected claims that he had concentrated Federal Government infrastructure projects in the South-East, saying the projects were part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader national infrastructure programme.

“I saw on social media where they say I cornered all projects to Southeast,” Umahi said, adding that details of ongoing Federal Government projects were publicly available.

He said the South-East was receiving infrastructure attention as part of the national distribution of projects, stressing that while the region might not be first, second or third in infrastructure development, “definitely they will not be the last.”

Umahi cited the 199-kilometre Ebonyi State ring road, which he said was constructed when he was governor after the state borrowed $150 million for the project.

He argued that infrastructure investment should be viewed in terms of the assets created and their potential economic benefits.

On the financing of President Tinubu’s four legacy infrastructure projects, the minister said the projects were being funded through a combination of Federal Government and foreign financing, with 30 per cent in naira from the Federal Government and 70 per cent through foreign financing.

He also rejected claims that the administration had abandoned existing roads for new projects, explaining that several of the legacy projects involve the expansion and reconstruction of existing road corridors.

Umahi defends support for Tinubu

Responding to questions about the 2027 presidential election, Umahi said his support for President Tinubu was based on his belief in the President’s vision and reforms.

He argued that continuity was important for major infrastructure projects that require several years to complete, warning that changes in administration could affect their implementation.

“If, God forbid, another person says he’s President, all these projects will be stalled. And I don’t think Ebonyi wants their projects to be stalled,” he said.

The minister also addressed his criticism of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, saying his concerns were based on policy, political messaging and what he described as the use of ethnic sentiments in political discourse.

He recalled his working relationship with Obi during their years as governors and argued that political promises should be assessed against previous records and measurable achievements.

“If the past outing you cannot have something to verify, then you cannot be assured of the promises of the second time,” Umahi said.

Umahi: My son must ensure fairness in Ohaozara

On the nomination of his son as chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Umahi clarified that the nomination was made by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, not by him.

He said he had advised his son to uphold transparency, honesty and prudent management of public funds.

According to him, his son had pledged not to collect salary or allowances and had been advised to ensure equitable development across the council’s 11 wards, rather than concentrating projects in his home community.

“I’ve advised him, don’t do anything for the people of Uburu because you are from Uburu. It has to be equitably distributed among the eleven council wards in Ohaozara Local Government,” he said.

Umahi added that anybody seeking to campaign in Ebonyi was free to do so, provided such activities were peaceful and did not threaten the state’s stability.