Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said that several major road projects in the South-East conceived during the colonial era but abandoned for decades are now being actualised under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi made the remarks during an inspection tour of ongoing federal infrastructure projects in Ebonyi State alongside senior journalists and government officials.
According to the minister, one of the most strategic projects being executed by the Federal Government is the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway, which he described as a long-forgotten vision that is finally becoming a reality under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“It is a colonial-era dream long forgotten, but President Tinubu has revived it, and construction is now underway. We must thank him immensely,” Umahi said.
He explained that the highway would serve as a major economic corridor linking the South-East, South-South and North-Central regions, while boosting trade and improving regional connectivity.
Umahi disclosed that Section One of the project, originally planned as a 118-kilometre stretch, has been extended to 123.6 kilometres with a contract value of ₦45 billion, adding that dualisation works are progressing steadily.
He further revealed that Section Two, which passes through Benue and Kogi states to Nasarawa, was awarded at a cost of ₦668 billion, with some portions already recording about 28 per cent completion.
The minister noted that the use of concrete pavement technology has enabled construction work to continue despite the rainy season, stressing that the superhighway would facilitate the movement of agricultural products such as cassava, yam, cashew and palm oil from Cross River, Ebonyi and Benue states.
He added that the road would also strengthen economic ties with neighbouring Cameroon and enhance national integration.
Umahi expressed appreciation on behalf of the South-East, describing President Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development as evidence of inclusiveness and balanced national development.
