South-East road revival gains momentum as Umahi says Tinubu is implementing long-abandoned colonial-era road projects across the region

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has said that major South-East Road Revival projects originally conceived during the colonial era but abandoned for decades are now being implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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Umahi made the remark on Saturday during an inspection tour of Federal Government projects in Ebonyi State, where he led senior journalists and government officials to assess ongoing infrastructure works across key project sites.

The minister described the revived infrastructure plans as a transformative step for regional integration and economic growth, particularly in the South-East, South-South and North-Central corridors.

Chief among the projects is the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway, which Umahi said represents a long-forgotten colonial-era vision now being executed under the current administration.

“It is a colonial-era dream long forgotten, but President Tinubu has revived it, and construction is now underway. We must thank him immensely,” he said.

According to Umahi, the South-East Road Revival initiative includes Section One of the highway, originally designed as a 118-kilometre stretch but later extended to 123.6 kilometres, currently under construction at a cost of ₦45 billion with dualisation works progressing steadily.

He added that Section Two of the project, which extends through Benue and Kogi States to Nasarawa, has been awarded at a cost of ₦668 billion and has reached approximately 28 per cent completion in some areas.

Umahi noted that the use of concrete road technology by the Federal Government has enabled construction to continue even during the rainy season, improving durability and project continuity.

“The Trans-Sahara Superhighway is not just a road; it is an investment corridor that will catalyse trade in agricultural produce such as cassava, yam, cashew and palm oil from Cross River, Benue and Ebonyi, while also connecting Nigeria to Cameroon,” he stated.

During the inspection, officials examined key infrastructure components including major bridges and concrete pavement sections along the route.

The delegation also visited the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo Local Government Area, which is expected to link Ebonyi State with Cross River and is scheduled for completion in December 2026.

The South-East Road Revival inspection tour also covered the ₦35 billion Onueke Flyover project in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, designed to ease traffic congestion along major corridors.

Umahi expressed appreciation on behalf of the South-East for what he described as the President’s commitment to inclusiveness and infrastructure development in the region.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State commended the Federal Government for ongoing projects, noting that his administration had continued to sustain development efforts across all local government areas.

“We have kept contractors busy in the state with projects spread across every local government area, from rural roads to primary health centres and water schemes,” the governor said.

He also maintained that Ebonyi remains one of the safest states in the country.

The Minister further disclosed plans for South-East governors and leaders to gather in Abakaliki for a rally aimed at endorsing President Tinubu for a second term.

According to Umahi, Governor Nwifuru will lead the state’s delegation at the event in appreciation of federal support for ongoing projects.

The inspection forms part of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ National Media Tour, which began in the North-West and is now focused on Federal Government projects across the South-East zone.

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The delegation is expected to continue its tour in Enugu State before proceeding to Abia, Anambra and Imo States for further project assessments.