The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has opened a section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway to ease heavy traffic along the busy corridor ahead of Easter travels.
Umahi made the move during an inspection visit to the Enugu axis, explaining that he acted on the directive of President Bola Tinubu to reduce hardship for commuters heading to and from the South-East for the festive season.
He also used the opportunity to showcase ongoing road projects across the region, stressing that the administration is prioritising infrastructure development in the South-East.
He said: “This is the most important road in the South-East. It was inherited under MTN tax credit, and everything was at a standstill until I went to cry out to Bola Tinubu. He directed that 50 percent of it be like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.
“Before now, it used to take up to seven hours on this road from Onitsha to Enugu. The project was awarded before 2023 with no meaningful progress, so we reviewed it for MTN to continue with N202 billion, excluding 70 kilometres.
“Today, Tinubu asked me to open it to avoid suffering for the people of the South-East. We have also directed MTN to do the same thing we have done with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, same quality. Asphalt will always fail, but cement will last very well and requires minimal maintenance.”
Umahi further pointed to multiple road projects underway in the region, describing them as evidence of renewed federal attention to the South-East.
He said: “With all these roads, I can say that the Biafra Ndigbo are looking for is here. So, in 2027, we have to be strategic. We want these roads to be completed.
“I’m David, God has told me, and I can tell you that He has said that Tinubu will win again. You cannot mount the seat of presidency by foul language or mere wish; we must be strategic. Anything I tell you now, go and mark it. No matter who gets the ticket of other political parties, I want to tell you that Tinubu will win.
“The marginalisation we are talking about is over. For the first time, your son is the Minister of Works. So, we need our people to be vocal; we need to tell our people what the President has done. All the marginalisation we are talking about is over.
“It’s not that anyone who is not supporting who you are supporting should be attacked. We have to be strategic. The President has done very well. You have to understand the kind of economy the President inherited, but I can tell you that the President is dealing with macroeconomics. And the worst is over.
“We as Igbo leaders must not support Tinubu and keep quiet, but we must tell our people what he has done. Governance is about development, infrastructure, equity, and fairness, and we have it in him.
“I have directed solar lights and tree planting from Enugu to Onitsha. We should give Tinubu not less than 80 percent of votes in 2027. Let no one split our votes. Be strategic in voting Tinubu and no one will do anything to you.
“If you are a leader in the South-East and you are not vocal about what Tinubu is doing for us, then you are not for us. That is why he has directed me to come and open this Enugu section to avoid trailers failing at Ugwu Onyeama all the time.”
