FG gives fresh directive on Calabar-Abuja superhighway

The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, has directed contractors handling the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway to ensure that no building is demolished or touched along the project alignment until the Federal Government concludes a review and, where necessary, realigns the route.

According to a statement on Saturday, signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, Umahi gave the directive on Friday, during an inspection of Phase Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway at Ado in Benue State, where he also reviewed progress on the project and directed contractors to accelerate construction activities.

The minister said the second section of the project covers 173 kilometres and is valued at ₦683 billion, while Section One is valued at ₦454 billion.

The contractor on Section Two, according to Umahi, has already opened the first element of the first eight kilometres, while efforts are being intensified to resolve the engineering challenge around the Ado Bridge.

“I do not believe in engineering that anything is impossible,” Umahi said, explaining that he had directed the contractor to open another section from the Ado River while the engineering team works out the best solution for crossing the bridge.

He also directed that at least three sections of the first element of Section Two should be opened simultaneously to increase the pace of work, adding that he would personally engage the project manager on site to agree on the technical and practical steps required.

Umahi commended the contractor for the progress recorded since his last inspection, saying, “From the last time we were here until now, he has done very well, and I’m very proud of what he’s doing.”

The minister, however, gave a clear instruction concerning buildings located within the current alignment, stressing that the human impact of the project must be carefully considered.

“My directive is that no building should be touched. Even if it’s within the alignment, I have to come and realign it. So you just have to continue your work and go around those buildings until we come to look at it,” he said.

He further directed that sharp curves along the highway should be strengthened, irrespective of what may have been contained in the original design, stressing that experienced professionals were needed on major infrastructure projects because engineering realities on the ground sometimes require adjustments.

Nature of project

Umahi explained that the project was being executed under an EPC Plus Finance arrangement, under which variations are not provided for, making it necessary for the project team to carefully manage quantities and resources without imposing additional costs on the Federal Government.

The minister also highlighted additional works being undertaken under Section One, including the dualisation of the road at Onueke, which he said was outside the initial scope, as well as the dualisation at Chainage 0 around Ndibe Beach.

From the project inspection, Umahi moved into a broader defence of the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the Southeast. He rejected claims circulating on social media that he had “cornered” Federal Government projects to the Southeast.

“I saw on social media where they say I cornered all projects to Southeast. That is very wonderful. But we have the publication of all projects ongoing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so they darken counsel without knowledge,” he said.

Umahi stressed that the infrastructure programme was not his personal initiative but part of the Federal Government’s broader development agenda under President Tinubu.

“I’m not on my own. The President is my boss. So where will he be when I corner all projects to Southeast?” he asked.

He said the Southeast was simply receiving infrastructure attention as part of the national distribution of projects, adding that the region may not necessarily be first, second or third in infrastructure development under the Tinubu administration, but “definitely they will not be the last.”

Politics in Ebonyi, relationship with Wike
The minister also dismissed the idea of any political “rainbow coalition” in Ebonyi State involving him and other political interests, saying his Ebonyi State remained fully aligned with the APC and the political direction of the state.

Responding to a question about his relationship with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and whether he was forming a “rainbow coalition” in Ebonyi, Umahi said, “If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me. And his candidate cannot break our relationship, but his candidate is not part of our relationship.”

He reiterated his criticism of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi, recalling that he had left the party after what he described as its failure to adequately recognise and serve the interests of the Southeast.

“We supported PDP. We voted for presidents in PDP. And when it was our time for them to honour us, they did not honour us. They maltreated us,” Umahi said, adding that he remained confident in the APC and its candidates in Ebonyi State.

He nevertheless said political opponents were free to campaign in the state, provided they did so peacefully.

On the political situation in Ebonyi, Umahi said anybody seeking to campaign in the state was free to do so, but warned against attempts to foment crisis.

“Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi State. Anybody that wants to campaign, come and campaign. But don’t dish out hate speeches and you want to take those speeches, and you want that we should lay a red carpet for you. We will not do that,” he said.

Umahi’s son in politics
The minister also addressed questions concerning his son, who was nominated by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru as Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area.

Umahi clarified that the nomination was made by the governor, not by him, and said he had instructed his son to uphold transparency, honesty and prudent management of public funds.

He said his son had promised not to collect salary or allowances and urged him to ensure equitable development across all 11 council wards rather than favouring his home community.

“I’ve advised him, don’t do anything for the people of Uburu because you are from Uburu. It has to be equitably distributed among the eleven council wards in Ohaozara Local Government,” Umahi said.

He added that the governor’s decision to nominate his son was personally significant to him because, in his view, it demonstrated the governor’s appreciation of their relationship and the contributions of the past administration.

Tinubu’s infrastructure
Umahi also argued that the infrastructure programme of the Tinubu administration provides a basis for Nigerians to assess the government through projects already being executed rather than promises abouti what may be done in the future.

“We tell our story. It’s not a question of saying, ‘I will do this, I’ll do this.’ What about the one that the person is doing? Let us compare the past with the present,” he said.

He used the Ebonyi State ring road as an example in arguing that investment in infrastructure can have long-term economic value. He recalled that while serving as governor, the state borrowed $150 million to construct 199 kilometres of the ring road, arguing that the project would cost significantly more if undertaken at today’s prices.

Umahi also responded to the argument of Peter Obi savings in Anambra,
“You can’t save food where the people are hungry,” he said, arguing that infrastructure investment creates assets that can support economic activity and improve connectivity.

He disclosed that the four legacy infrastructure projects of President Tinubu are being financed through a combination of Federal Government funding and foreign financing, with 30 percent funded in naira by the Federal Government and 70 percent through foreign financing.

The minister also rejected the suggestion that the administration had abandoned existing roads in favour of new projects, explaining that several of the legacy projects involve the expansion and reconstruction of existing road corridors.

“I’m very proud of what the President is doing,” he said. “I’m very proud that we continue to educate our people to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Southeast and all over the country, so that he can anchor most of these projects he has started.”

Criticism of Peter Obi
Responding to questions about his criticism of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Umahi said his concerns were based on policy, political messaging and what he described as the use of ethnic and tribal sentiments in political discourse.

The minister recalled his working relationship with Obi during their years as governors and said they had attended meetings of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, when Obi was chairman of the forum.

Umahi argued that political promises should be assessed against previous records and measurable achievements rather than solely on campaign declarations.

“If the past outing you cannot have something to verify, then you cannot be assured of the promises of the second time,” he said.

On the 2027 presidential election, Umahi said his support for President Tinubu was based on his belief in the President’s vision and reforms.

“What gave rise is because I believe in President Bola Tinubu. I believe that he’s the one called of God. I believe in his vision. I believe in his reforms. I believe he’s the best person that I have worked with and for, and I’m very proud of working for him and working with him,” he said.

He argued that continuity was important for major infrastructure projects because changes in administration could affect their implementation, particularly projects that require several years to complete.

“If, God forbid, another person says he’s President, all these projects will be stalled. And I don’t think Ebonyi wants their projects to be stalled,” Umahi said.