The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has said the South East geopolitical zone will rally 90 per cent support for President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 20, 2027, presidential election.
Umahi made the statement on Saturday during a project inspection tour at the Alaoji axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, noting that it is not yet the South East’s turn to produce the president.
He stressed that the zone must be strategic in its political decisions.
The minister commended the president for his legacy projects in the South East and warned that failing to massively support Tinubu would be detrimental to the region.
He said, “All the marginalisation we complain about has been addressed by the president. Unless we are not being truthful to ourselves, there is no more marginalisation in the South East.
“You know, giving the Ministry of Works to the South East is no mean feat, because we have never had a Minister of Works. You can see the results and the intention of the president. You can see the good heart of the president. So it’s time for payback. You all know the amount of work from Port Harcourt down to Enugu. Every section of this project is ongoing for completion. Never in Nigeria’s history have we benefited as much.
“When I was Deputy Governor, then Governor for eight years, not a single federal road project came to the state. But today, we can boast of numerous projects ongoing. We can boast of projects worth trillions of naira in the South East, just like in other regions.
“The biggest legacy projects of the president are in the South East. We have service chiefs, key appointments, and a lot happening in the South East under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So it’s time to support the president. The people of the South East should support the president. We should not be guided by sentiments or non-strategic moves. We should tell our brother Peter Obi that it is not yet our turn.”
Umahi also assured the company handling the project of the prompt release of funds to enable its completion ahead of the presidential tour of projects in the South East and South-South geopolitical zones in May.
The minister commended Arab contractors for their commitment to the project and acknowledged that the Federal Government faced funding challenges when the president assumed office, inheriting 2,068 ongoing projects, with a total cost of 19 trillion naira.
He said, “I want to commend Arab contractors. Yes, we had funding challenges across the country because when the president came on board, he inherited 2,068 ongoing projects, with a total cost of 19 trillion naira. That was before the removal of the fuel subsidy and the depreciation of the naira.
“Even after prioritization, rephasing, and rescoping, the total ongoing projects, excluding NNPC-related, legacy, and private sector projects, still amount to 16.9 trillion naira.
“We had to appeal to contractors, who are partners with the Ministry of Works in national development. Arab Contractors are one of them. What they have achieved in the past nine months is commendable, and it is time for us to support them. That’s why we migrated them to Sukuk.
“Out of the 8.3 billion naira allocated in Sukuk, they have 2 billion to claim. As directed by Mr. President, 30 percent of the 2025 budget will be paid, with the remaining 70 per cent migrated to 2026, starting in April.
“Out of the 8.3 billion, we have 9 billion in the 2025 budget, meaning 2.7 billion is to be completed, plus 2 billion, giving them 4.7 billion naira to complete immediately. I provide this analysis to assure Arab Contractors and the public that the project will not stop. They have done fantastic work.
“The section of the road we are inspecting, the second carriageway towards Port Harcourt, has had all major works completed. What remains is the combined and wearing course. I have redesigned the remaining service lane, introducing 20 cm of lumps, followed by sand, stone base, cement-treated stone base, and finally 20 cm of concrete. If funds remain, further calculations will be done.”
The minister assured that the road section is designed to last for 50 years and welcomed constructive criticism.
He said, “Criticise us and praise us, nothing goes wrong. Our eyes are on the ball, and we are committed in prayers for the president. I urge Nigerians to visit project sites to verify progress. All projects have been sent to the ICPC for evaluation, so transparency is ensured.”
Umahi also inspected the Port Harcourt axis of the expressway being executed by an indigenous contractor.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on the South East, Barr. Chioma Nwaeze, and the Project Manager for Arab Contractors, Mr Mah Moud, along with aides to the minister, were present during the inspection.
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