Tinubu’s Legacy Projects Are Investments, Not Just Road Construction – Umahi

– Projects to last over 100 years without maintenance

– Umahi challenged political critics to reflect on their past records before questioning the current administration

The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, on Friday undertook an extensive inspection of federal road projects across the South-East, highlighting the Federal Government’s strong commitment to transformative infrastructure development under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

Speaking during the inspection on March 16, 2026 in Afikpo, the minister described the President’s flagship road programmes as historic investments designed not just to connect cities but to reshape Nigeria’s economic future for generations.

Umahi said the administration’s four major legacy road projects are carefully designed to interlink across the country and serve as enduring national assets.

“All the four legacy projects of the President are interconnected. They will last a hundred years. No maintenance,” the minister declared.

He explained that the projects represent a bold shift in infrastructure philosophy, moving away from temporary road solutions to durable concrete highways that can stand the test of time.

“Don’t forget that section one and two of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, where our people are running over themselves bidding to be given the right to toll the road and then pay back the Federal Government the entire money,” Umahi said.

“That’s why I continue to say that Mr. President is a very strategic personality and that these legacy projects are not just road construction. They are investments.”

The minister used the opportunity to call for constructive engagement from critics, stressing that national development requires a level of patriotism and responsible public discourse.

“Those criticizing us should criticize constructively. We have a duty to continue to offer explanations. There should be some elements of patriotism. Opposition does not mean that we talk without knowledge,” he said.

Umahi further challenged political critics to reflect on their past records before questioning the current administration.

“When people say they want to take over government in 2027, the question is: all these people talking like this, find out what they have done. Analyze them. The opportunities Nigerians gave them before, what did they do with it? Compare that to what President Bola Tinubu is doing now.”

Highlighting the scale of ongoing infrastructure development across the country, the minister said that the Tinubu administration has taken road construction to an unprecedented level.

“There is no part of this country where major road construction is not going on. Not just asphalt. We are putting concrete that will last a hundred years,” he said.

Umahi said history would ultimately vindicate the President’s ambitious infrastructure agenda.

“Whichever road is built under his eight years of administration, if you like you can insult me. I am a man of God, and when you insult a man of God you have to be very careful. You don’t insult a man of God and go free. My prayer is for forgiveness, but it won’t stop us from speaking the truth.”

“By eight years, the majority of our roads would have been totally rebuilt, and the legacy projects connected to them. We can beat our chest and say, ‘Yes, God really sent President Bola Tinubu.’”

During the inspection, the minister also provided detailed updates on several major road projects in the South-East, including the Dangote Tax Credit road initiative.

“It’s going to be 69km of Dangote tax credit roads. I will explain. In 2003, the President graciously approved Dangote tax credit of 60km dualized, 103 billion, passing through Afikpo in Ebonyi State and from Ebonyi to Abia State in Uturu, then you get to Okigwe,” he said.

However, the project could not commence as planned due to rising construction costs. Umahi explained that the Federal Executive Council resolved that existing contract sums would not be increased, prompting a strategic restructuring of the project.

“Generally in the country, what we agreed in the Federal Executive Council is that no project should be increased in terms of the amount. So what we are doing is rephasing and rescoping.”

“Instead of doing 120km, that is 60km dualized, we decided to take one full carriageway, 12m, from Afikpo down to Uturu down to Okigwe, and that is 60km. Then from the excess of the money, 103 billion, we still stick to that contract sum and do an extra 9km from Afikpo, that is from the Amasiri side.”

“So we have 60km plus 9km. That is 69km, reinforced concrete, 12m width. That is what we’re doing.”

Umahi noted that the project is being executed by HiTech Construction Company, the same firm handling other landmark projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.

“The contractors Dangote hired to do this are the contractors doing the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Lagos–Badagry, and that is HiTech. HiTech has also built in the South-East,” he said.

“When we gave this contract they were shouting why not HiTech, so there is HiTech here working for the Dangote tax credit project. The job is very beautiful, but the job is very slow.”

The minister, however, assured that steps have already been taken to address the delay.

“The slow pace of work was not caused by the present management but the outgone one. I complained and they graciously removed the man who was delaying the job.”

Providing further updates, Umahi highlighted ongoing works around Ndibe Beach and Eke Market while explaining the engineering challenges involved in expanding the road corridor due to dense developments along the route.

He said the ministry is exploring a bypass solution to protect businesses, churches and residential buildings along the existing alignment.

The minister also revealed that the Calabar–Abuja super highway corridor forms a major part of the administration’s long-term national infrastructure strategy.

“Calabar to Ndibe Beach, and from Ndibe Beach it goes through Afikpo, Amasiri–Akpoha, Onueke, Ezza South and Ezza North and comes out at Ukwuachi,” he explained.

“This section one is 125.35 kilometers, and the total contract sum is about 454 billion. Thirty percent has been paid by the President.”

He added that the project will eventually extend through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states before terminating in Abuja, forming part of a larger network of legacy highways expected to transform mobility, commerce and regional integration across Nigeria.

Umahi also praised the contractors handling the projects, noting their commitment to quality and adherence to engineering standards.

“This is beautiful work. Infoiuest is just another HiTech in terms of commitment, quality, partnership, and sticking to the rules of the job. So we’re happy with what they’re doing.”