RismadarVoice Reporters, June 14, 2026
The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has said that several major road projects in Nigeria’s South-East region, originally conceived during the colonial era but later abandoned, are now being revived and executed under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Umahi made the remarks on Saturday in Ebonyi State during an inspection tour of federal infrastructure projects, accompanied by senior journalists and government officials. His comments were contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Tunde Rahman, Director of Media and Publicity for the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.
The minister highlighted the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway as one of the administration’s flagship infrastructure projects, describing it as a long-forgotten regional development vision now being implemented.
According to him, the highway is designed to boost economic activity across the South-East, South-South and parts of the North-Central region, while also improving regional connectivity and trade.
Umahi explained that Section One of the project, initially planned as a 118-kilometre stretch but later extended to 123.6 kilometres, is currently under construction at an estimated cost of N45 billion, with dualisation works progressing steadily.
He added that Section Two, which passes through Benue and Kogi states into Nasarawa, has been awarded at a cost of about N668 billion and is already about 28 per cent completed in some sections.
The minister noted that the use of reinforced concrete road technology by the current administration has helped ensure continuity of construction even during the rainy season.
He described the Trans-Saharan Superhighway as more than a transport route, calling it an economic corridor expected to facilitate the movement of agricultural goods such as cassava, yam, cashew, and palm produce from states like Ebonyi, Benue and Cross River, while also strengthening trade links with neighbouring Cameroon.
Umahi also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as increased attention to infrastructure development and regional inclusion in the South-East.
During the tour, the delegation inspected key structures, including bridges and sections of the highway constructed with concrete pavement. Officials also visited the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo Local Government Area, which connects Ebonyi State to Cross River and is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The team further assessed the N35 billion Onueke Flyover project in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, aimed at easing traffic congestion, as well as completed link roads connecting communities across Ebonyi and Cross River States.
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, commended the federal government for ongoing infrastructure projects in the state and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to development across all local government areas, including roads, healthcare facilities, and water schemes.
He also maintained that Ebonyi remains one of the safest states in the country.
Umahi further revealed that South-East governors and political leaders are expected to gather in Abakaliki on Monday for a rally endorsing President Tinubu for a second term, noting that the event reflects appreciation for ongoing federal support to the region.
The media tour, organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team, is part of a broader inspection exercise covering federal projects across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
