‘Be Strategic, Not Hostile’—Umahi Tells Southeast During Road Commissioning

The Federal Government has officially opened a completed section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, cautioning people of the Southeast against foul language.

Speaking during the opening, Umahi said the project reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to infrastructure development in the region and across the country.

While addressing broader political engagement in the Southeast, the minister urged restraint in language and approach, stressing that progress would come through strategy rather than hostility.

“We will not mount the seat of presidency by foul language, by mere wish, nobody will give it to us. We have to be strategic,” he said.

The minister recalled the poor state of the Enugu–Onitsha route prior to ongoing reconstruction, noting that travel time between both cities once stretched to several hours.

“The journey from Enugu to Onitsha took about 7 hours before 2023. The most important road in Southeast is this road”, he said.

He explained that the project, initially executed under a tax credit arrangement involving MTN Nigeria and RCC, had stalled before presidential intervention revived it.

Umahi said: “We inherited this road under the tax credit of MTN and executed for them by RCC but everything was on standstill until I went to plead with President Tinubu.”

According to him, the President not only accelerated the work but also introduced improved construction standards.

“The President not only gave acceleration to the construction of this road but he directed that atleast 50% of it must be on concrete and like that of Lagos Calabar coastal Highway”, the Minister said.

He said that the first 50km of reinforced concrete pavement is about 97 per cent completed, with 15km now opened to ease movement during the Easter period.

Umahi said: “The President directed me to come and open the road so that the people of South-East will not suffer during the Easter period and that’s why I am here to open the first 15km of the road.”

Umahi also mentioned several ongoing and completed road projects across the Southeast, including the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, Owerri–Aba Road, and the Second Niger Bypass, among others, noting that many are being constructed with reinforced concrete and are at advanced stages.

On regional inclusion, the minister dismissed claims of marginalisation, pointing to increased federal presence and infrastructure investment in the zone.

“The marginalisation we are talking about, it’s over, for the first time, your son is Minister of Works.”

He further urged Southeast leaders to actively communicate the administration’s efforts to the people.
“We need to be vocal in telling the people what the president is doing for us. No more marginalisation.”

Umahi encouraged support for the current administration, arguing that it would ensure continuity of ongoing projects in the region.